Grimsby man jailed after threatening to kill his former girlfriend
OBSESSED lover John Webster pestered his ex-girlfriend, threatened to kill her and assaulted her during a "frightening" catalogue of offences, a court heard.
He later crashed a car after losing control during a high-speed chase while pursued by the police, the court was told.
-
Webster, 29, of Grimsby, admitted harassment, assault, criminal damage, possessing a knife, theft, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.
Stephen Welch, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Webster's relationship with mother-of-four Rebecca Stratford broke up in March after a series of problems.
MAYFAIR ESTATE AGENTS
IF WE CANNOT FIND YOU A TENANT WITHIN ONE MONTH WE WILL FIND YOU ONE FOR FREE, YES FREE, YOU WILL PAY NO FEES.
Terms: TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY.
Contact: 01472 355 553
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
He later climbed through her ground-floor window on September 6, grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her backwards.
He later harassed her on September 21 and told her he loved her and wanted them to get back together.
He warned her: "I'll kill you next time."
On September 24, she found a window smashed and heard noises from the loft. Police found him there with a small table knife.
Webster also sent numerous text messages and made telephone calls to another girlfriend, Vashti Gladding, asking them to get back together, and stole a bicycle, belonging to her, on October 1.
He later again harassed Miss Stratford on October 6.
Police followed him as he sped away in a leased car and hurtled straight through a red traffic light before swerving out of control at speeds of more than 80mph.
The car was later found to have crashed through safety barriers in Humberston Road, Cleethorpes, causing serious damage.
Webster ran off, but was aggressive when police found him. He was taken to the ground, there was a struggle and he had to be squirted with parva spray.
Richard Hackfath, mitigating, said Webster dealt very badly with the break-up of his relationship with Miss Stratford and became extremely upset, emotional, frustrated and, at times, irrational.
During the driving incident, he panicked when the police arrived behind him and tried to get away because he knew he would be in trouble.
Webster, in custody for 32 days, was jailed for 15 months, given a two-year restraining order and was banned from driving for a year.
Recorder Taryn Turner told Webster: "This was a campaign of harassment and disturbance. What you did to these people was very frightening and, no doubt, unnerving to them all.
"You really can't go around behaving in this way."
Comments
by davendogs
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 12:53PM
“Another useless sperm dribble. Told he can't behave in this way. Yeah right. Ignore the threats, just go for giving a good kicking and a decent period of lockup. Not in one of those HMP hotels either. Get one sorted out for his witches at the same time.”
by 01GrimReaper
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:51AM
“On September 24, she found a window smashed and heard noises from the loft. Police found him there with a small table knife.
For that alone he should have been locked up.
Richard Hackfath, mitigating - says it all. If ever I decide to bump someone off, I'll certainly get Mr Hackforth to defend me.”
by markus250666
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:23AM
“I see the judge has gone soft, i mean for the crimes he committed and he only gets 15 months. What a joke. should of been atleast 5 years just for the threat to kill alone.
Justice gone soft once again.”
by RiShanTie
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 9:10AM
“isnt it about time the police got men (and women in some cases) like this off the streets once and for all! - glad he got sprayed too! A@@@hole!”