A man who sent a woman threatening messages, including one that read "You're dead, you horrible s***. I'm going to kill you," has been sentenced at Teesside Crown Court.
Jonathan Gibson, 29, of Gill Crescent North, Woodstone Village, Durham, pleaded guilty to putting his victim in fear of violence by harassment. He appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing, where prosecutor Ian West informed the court of the messages.
Further threats and bail breach
A further message read: "You're worth going down for." The woman reported the matter to police, and Gibson was subsequently arrested.
However, despite being released on bail with a condition prohibiting him from contacting the woman, he continued to send her messages regardless.
Victim impact and defence
In a statement read aloud to the court, the victim said that she has been left with a "prolonged fear."
Gibson's barrister, Cainan Lonsdale, told the court: "He had a deterioration in his mental health at the time. It led to a referral for psychosis treatment."
Gibson had spent the previous seven months on remand at Holme House prison, where his barrister said: "He's been doing work to address his emotional regulation. Whilst what he did can never be justified it seems to be a blip to how he ordinarily behaves."
Mr Lonsdale said he accepted that his client caused the woman "serious distress."
Sentence and restraining order
Gibson received a 27-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, was placed on a community order requiring attendance at probation appointments, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Timothy Stead imposed a five-year restraining order.
