A man previously dubbed a dangerous sexual predator is back behind bars for harassing his ex-partner and threatening him with weapons while in a jealous rage.
Craig Berry, now 44, initially had a platonic friendship with the man which developed into a brief romantic relationship, Carlisle Crown Court was told today.
Even before the man called time on the relationship, last autumn, Berry began accusing him of supposed infidelity and making demands to see his mobile phone.
Over a number of days in September, Berry repeatedly called the man, sent him messages and made further accusations of infidelity.
There was then an incident at an address on September 7 in Carlisle after he had taken the man’s phone.
While in a jealous rage, Berry threatened to hit him, first with a bat and then with a hammer, before blocking his exit route while saying: “I can’t let you leave without hurting you.”
Berry did eventually calm down, returning the man’s phone and allowing him to go.
But after further incidents in the days that followed, the man alerted police.
Berry, previously of Workington and latterly of Carlisle, later admitted harassment without violence, and two counts of threatening his victim with offensive weapons in a private place.
The court heard he had since been recalled to prison to serve the remainder of a 10-year jail term.
This was a punishment handed out in 2017 after a jury convicted him of engaging in sexual activity with a male child.
A detective had said after he was sentenced: “Berry is a dangerous sexual predator who isolated his victim in order to carry out his attacks.”
He is due to be released from custody in June of 2027.
For the harassment and weapons threat crimes, Berry was given an immediate 15-month prison sentence. This will be served alongside the remainder of his 2017 term as the law prevents imposition of a consecutive sentence.
“Regrettably you were unable to take ‘no’ for an answer,” said sentencing judge, Recorder Julian Shaw of the relationship break-up.
A five-year restraining order was also imposed. This bans Berry from making any contact with the man, and going within half a mile of his home address.
