A MAN who launched a ‘vile’ verbal assault on his former partner and smashed an air fryer was given a community order at Welshpool Magistrates Court.
Ryan Potter, 28 and of Worthen, previously pleaded guilty to two charges of threatening to damage property belonging to his ex, namely her car tyres, and using threatening and abusive words to cause harassment.
He appeared in front of Stephen Pembroke, chairman of the bench at Welshpool Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, October 8 to be sentenced for both offences.
READ MORE: Powys man accused of stalking ex granted bail until trial
The court heard from Helen Tench, CPS prosecutor, who said that on January 17 this year, Potter arrived at his ex's property to ‘pick up his stuff’.
OTHER NEWS:
- No-confidence motion against Powys transport chief amid fury over car parking
- Powys pensioner hit police officer in the neck during arrest
- Jobs blow as 65 roles expected to go in Nidec Newtown 'restructuring'
They had been in a 10-month relationship which had ended around two weeks previously and she had also blocked his calls and asked him to not contact her.
Mrs Tench said when he was at the property, he kicked and punched doors, and threw an air fryer on the floor leading to one of her daughters to call the police.
The prosecution added that he called the victim ‘evil’ and a ‘slag’, called for her to come outside and when she refused, threatened to slash her tyres.
When police arrived he said he only meant to threaten to let the air out, then told his victim ‘he loved her’ and called himself a ‘f*****g idiot’.
The court heard that while Potter accepted his guilt, a previous hearing had accepted his basis of plea that he did not intend to slash her tyres.
Gurleen Kaur, defending the self-employed agricultural contractor, told the court that her client’s sole intention as to attend the property to collect his belongings but had an ‘out of character emotional reaction’ to being there.
She told magistrates that his words around the tyres was an empty threat and that no force was used and provided a character reference that called him ‘trustworthy’.
Potter was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days.
His lack of availability because of his employment meant he was given a fine of £270 rather than unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £114 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.
He was also given a 12-month restraining order with no contact, no reference to her online and stay more than 100 metres away from her property.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here