A Carlisle man has been jailed and banned from contacting his former partner after he made threats while demanding that she retract a statement made to police.
City magistrates heard how Daniel Matthews, 32, and the woman were involved in a verbal argument on the late afternoon of April 29 this year.
During the row, Matthews punched a bedroom window, causing it to break.
He also then damaged the woman’s mobile phone as she tried to contact her brother for help. The device was left unusable.
The woman reported that damage to police. But Matthews, of Borrowdale Gardens, Carlisle, later contacted her, said a prosecutor, making threats as he demanded that she retract a statement she’d made.
“I do not want to be in a relationship (with Matthews) any more as I am scared of him. I know what he is like,” the woman had later said.
Matthews initially admitted two offences of criminal damage. He denied a third charge of witness intimidation but then changed his plea to guilty in court today with a trial date looming next month.
Matthews opted to proceed with the sentencing exercise despite not being represented by a solicitor. “I just want it over and done with,” he said while appearing in court remotely, over a video link from custody.
Magistrates concluded the offences were aggravated by previous convictions, the fact criminal conduct had occurred while Matthews was on bail, and due to the domestic nature.
Admissions of guilt went on Matthews’ favour.
Matthews was given an immediate 12-month prison sentence.
He was also banned from contacting his former partner, through a restraining order, and from going on to a named Carlisle road, for the next two years.
