A spurned woman obsessively harassed her ex boyfriend's new girlfriend and threatened to kill her for "taking what was hers". She turned up at the woman's house and tried to break in and posted threatening messages about her on social media.
Abigail Clark, 30, of Caerphilly, terrorised her victim who feared for her life during a "campaign of harassment" in which abuse was hurled at her and dozens of phone calls made. When told to stop, the defendant would reply "Don't ask me to stop because it won't happen.... What girl steals a man from another girl".
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard Clark became incensed after her boyfriend of nine years ended their relationship and began another relationship with the victim days later. Prosecutor Rachel Knight said Clark could not accept the relationship was over and harrased the victim with "rigour".
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On August 14 last year, the victim was in her house when she heard Clark pull up outside. She began calling the victim a "hooker and a slag" and accused her of having an affair with her ex. She told the victim "I know your address and I'll f****** kill you, no matter what".
The defendant tried to put her hands through the window to force it open and went to the back of the house. She then banged the door and knocked a wheelie bin over before leaving. Later that day she made multiple phone calls and voice mails. The police were called and Clark was made subject to bail conditions preventing her from contacting the victim.
On November 2, Clark made a Facebook post in which she made threatening remarks about the victim. She said: "You spasisity(sic) girl, she's so obsessed with my boyfriend. Listen to me you little rat girl lookalike. She's obsessed with my boyfriend. Why don't she move on?.... If I had a daughter as disgusting as you.... I won't sit back until you have an overdose, let's see how I help you c***y."
On January 12, the victim contacted the police after Clark repeatedly called her from a withheld number, a total of 46 times. The defendant had also sent a Facebook message to the local pub saying "I know that rat is (there), tonight is the night I'll get my revenge. I promise you, you know she'll be dead."
On January 29, the victim received a call from a withheld number but recognised Clark's voice. The defendant said: "I am going to come down your house now and kill you" and abused her for two minutes. Clark also used the Facebook account of a neighbour to send messages, which said: "Wait until I see you you rat, I am going to end you, you watch you stupid little c***."
On March 14, the victim was visiting her mother's house for a birthday when Clark called her again from a withheld number, after calling 25 times initially. The phone call was recorded by the victim's stepfather and was played to the court. Clark could be heard saying "You don't understand how much of a rampage I'm on.... (You're) a scabby little rat who steals everyone else's things because she can't find her own. You've got to steal someone else's partner. He f***** someone behind your back, you're a stupid little c***."
She added: "You're a desperate little c***, a desperate little tramp... Next time I'm going to f*** (your boyfriend) and I'm going to get him to ring you while he's f****** me. You take my partner of 10 years and expect me to do nothing. The least I can do is f****** batter you. I'm angry because you took what was mine and you're going to suffer for it.... Fight me like a woman, I'm going to slit your throat."
Clark, of Cefn y Lon, Penyrheol, was arrested the next day and told police "Wait till I go down there and smash her head in" and "When you let me out, you'll see what happens". She was also abusive towards officers when in custody. She later pleaded guilty to harassment. The court heard she was of previous good character, save for two cautions.
In a victim personal statement, the victim said: "I don't know what she's capable of. The messages made me anxious and nervous to go out in public. It's affecting my work life and social life. She's doing everything she can to ruin my life."
The woman said she suffered with anxiety and depression and was concerned the defendant had found out her address. She was afraid Clark would take out her violent threats upon her and her family.
In mitigation, Andrew Davies conceded his client had used "disgusting and deplorable language" but he described her as "vulnerable" having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, emotional instability disorder and diabetes, as well as a potential brain injury.
The barrister said Clark's previous relationship was abusive but she treated her partner as an "emotional crutch" and after the relationship broke down she experienced "incredible difficulty". He said she began using alcohol to excess which may have contributed to her offending.
Recorder Dyfed Thomas sentenced Clark to 22 months imprisonment suspended for two years. She was made subject to a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement, a six-month curfew between 8pm and 6am, and a restraining order for 10 years.
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