[A] MAN who harassed and threatened his ex-girlfriend has been handed a suspended prison term.
Darrell Lucas Eve sent “20 texts in a day” during “excessive” phone contact with Tara Wood after their short relationship ended last year.
Carlisle Crown Court heard 28-year-old Eve’s messages were “abusive, spiteful and horrible”. A prosecutor said Eve had threatened to “burn her house down, kill the dog, slice her up and hurt her”. This left her “fearful”.
Eve was sentenced today (MON) after he admitted putting Ms Wood in fear of violence by harassment. He had also admitted possessing both an imitation firearm – an inoperative but “realistic-looking” air rifle – at the time of his arrest, on September 23, and a small quantity of cannabis.
Eve, a man without previous convictions, had “spiralled out of control” following his father’s death, and been “under the influence of drugs” at the time of his offending. But he was “remorseful”, and now drug and alcohol-free following time in custody.
Having heard mitigation, Judge Peter Hughes QC suspended an 18-month jail term for two years. Eve, previously of Main Road, Flimby, must undergo rehabilitation, complete 100 hours’ unpaid work and was banned from contacting Ms Wood in any way for three years.
