South Shields dad jailed after threatening to kill ex after she ended four-year relationship

Christopher Hilton may have wrongly believed his former partner had a "romantic interest" in one of his friends when he issued the death threat in September.

Newcastle Crown Court heard despite being arrested and bailed over the kill warning, the 29-year-old, who had bail conditions to stay away, continued his unwanted contact.

In a series of messages Hilton told his victim the threat was just "nasty words", said he was sorry, asked "just don't grass me please" and even turned up at her house.

Hilton, of Gorse Avenue, South Shields, admitted making threats to kill and harassment.

Prosecutor Jane Foley told the court the victim had ended the four-year relationship in September and added: "The defendant telephoned her and threatened to attend her home address and kill her.

"She believed the defendant made the threats because he believed, wrongly, she had a romantic interest in one of his friends."

In a victim statement, the woman said: "I just want him to stay away from me at this point.

"Our relationship is over and I want to get on with my life.

"The contact I have been having is unwanted.

"I just want him to leave me alone so I can move on in peace."

Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced Hilton, who has a criminal record, to nine months behind bars with a two year restraining order.

Judge Bindloss told him: "She says she wants you to stay away from her, the relationship is over. She wants to move on in peace."

David Comb, defending, said Hilton accepts he was "totally in the wrong and behaved in a totally unacceptable way" but said often threats said in such circumstances are "not really meant".

Mr Comb added: "The relationship is at an end, there is no reason for the defendant to have contact with his former partner. He has no desire to have contact with her."

Mr Comb said the unwanted contact had been driven by Hilton's desire to have an ongoing relationship with his son rather than anxiety over the relationship breakdown.

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