A man who threatened to burn his ex's mum's house down used a fake accent when calling her, a court heard.
Scott Butler appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday after threatening Emma Richards, the mum of his ex partner Elle McKenzie, during a dispute over money.
Aaron Smith, prosecuting, said Butler had an argument with Ms Richards over money she had lent him and over who would keep a dog he and Ms McKenzie purchased during the relationship. Butler had agreed to make repayments, but the argument escalated.
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On April 8 and 9 following the argument, Butler left a series of threatening and abusive voicemails to Ms Richards. Mr Smith said Butler attempted to conceal his identity by putting on an accent, but immediately said “keep my name out of your mouth” before correcting himself to say “keep his name out of your mouth”.
He left messages that said: “I’m going to blow up your house”, “I’m coming after you”, “I will kill you”, and "I know where the kids are”.
In other messages, he told the victim “I'm coming for you”, “I’ll be at your f**king door”, “the door will be blown off” and ended several calls with “knock, knock”.
Butler, of Oriel Road, Bootle, also called the victim a “c**t” and in another call, he said “I promise I’m coming for you, you won’t know where, you won’t know when, but I’m coming for you.” Police were called on April 9, and Butler was arrested soon afterwards.
Gary Bryan, defending said: “These are clearly serious messages, the nature of the messages over the course of two days is very serious and very alarming to read.” He said Butler’s arrest “brings an end to it”, and that he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Mr Bryan added that Butler has not committed any crimes or threatened his ex or her mum since being arrested.
Mr Bryan said that during the argument, a reference was made to Butler’s deceased mum which caused him to react in this way, but that it was "no excuse". Mr Bryan added: “The offending behaviour was completely disproportionate to any considered slight that he felt he was on the wrong side of.
“He says that he’s absolutely devastated and that he regrets that behaviour, and he does show shame in relation to that behaviour.” In sentencing, Deputy District Judge Mary Dowrick said: “This is very unpleasant, the nature of these things that you said.
“It’s awful and must have been absolutely terrifying. It is a very serious offence, it clearly will have had quite an impact on this poor woman.”
She handed him a six week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. Butler must also complete the thinking skills programme, undertake up to 19 rehabilitation days, and 120 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Dowrick added: “You clearly have some unresolved trauma that is leading to some quite significant emotional dysregulation for you. You are not 16 anymore, you are not that little boy anymore, you are dealing with the consequences of not dealing with that trauma.”
A restraining order was also implemented banning him from contacting the victim and her daughter for 12 months and Butler was told to pay a victim surcharge.
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