JOHN MATTHEWS SENTENCED IN PAIGNTON FOR VIOLENT AND THREATENING BEHAVIOR

A 39-year-old man named John Matthews has been sentenced to 14 months in prison following a series of aggressive and threatening actions toward his former partner. Matthews headbutted the woman inside a hotel in Paignton and sent multiple threatening messages, vowing to harm any new partners she might have. His persistent harassment left her feeling overwhelmed and terrified, to the point where she expressed in her victim statement that she feared he might kill her. The court was informed that Matthews' misconduct also involved unlawfully entering her flat using her keys and disregarding police bail conditions that prohibited him from making contact. He has a prior criminal record that includes similar offenses and previous convictions for harassment of other partners. Additionally, Matthews pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker at a police station in Torquay, stealing an Amazon parcel in Teignmouth, committing two common assaults on workers, and damaging a vehicle. Despite his diagnosis of ADHD and possible PTSD, and his tendency to lose his temper when drinking, he has shown a strong work ethic and has performed well during his time in custody awaiting sentencing. Judge David Evans commented on Matthews’ anger issues, noting that his ex-partner was genuinely afraid for her life, stating, "She felt you were capable of killing her." As part of his sentence, Matthews was also issued a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting his former partner.