A MAN has been jailed for a year after “repeatedly” threatening to kill his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Gregor Bustin made threats to kill his former partner, her family and kick her in the stomach and stab her in the abdomen; she was pregnant with their second child at the time.

The 30-year-old Bustin eventually admitted five charges in total, including making threats to kill, stalking, assault and fraud, having originally pleaded not guilty.

The offences took place in Newtown between May 4 and 7 this year. Even though the defendant and victim had split up they remained close and he had gone round to her home on May 5. Things escalated when he started drinking alcohol and took some sleeping tablets.

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Prosecutor David Mainstone said Bustin started to accuse the victim of cheating on him, even though they were not together, and that he then assaulted her twice as she tried to flee.

Bustin then phoned her in the early hours of the following morning and threatened to kill her and her family. He also made repeated threats to kill her while he was in the presence of police officers after he was arrested.

Ryan Rothwell, representing Bustin, of no fixed abode, described the defendant as a different person when he drank.

He said his client showed “significant remorse” and that he had suffered for a long time with mental health issues.

Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones, in sentencing Bustin, labelled the defendant’s behaviour “disgraceful”.

“You made extremely unpleasant threats to kill her family and kick her in the stomach, even though you knew she was pregnant,” said Recorder Lloyd-Jones.

“You repeatedly made threats to kill her to the police. These were horrendous threats.

“The sad thing is you commit offences towards people who think a great deal of you and who are dear to you.”

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He said Bustin received a suspended sentence in 2016 for assaulting his adoptive father.

“There are lots of positives for you, including references from the victim, your adopted parents, your landlord and former employers; they are really good features.

“But I wouldn’t be doing my job properly today if I suspended this sentence.”

He jailed Bustin for 12 months for the threats to kill, adding two months to be served concurrently for the stalking offence. There were no separate penalties for the other offences.

Bustin will serve half the sentence and the rest on licence – he has already been at HMP Berwyn since his arrest in May.

The judge also granted a restraining order, protecting his ex-partner, which will last for three years.

Recorder Lloyd-Jones added: “Carry on with the good work you’ve done in prison to try and change, and make sure when you come out that you are a good man.”