A Gateshead thug barged his way into his ex-partner’s house while brandishing a six inch knife, a court heard.
Jordan Spedding, 29, committed a series of offences against his former partner that included throwing a paving slab through her window and sending a message threatening to blow up her home.
Newcastle Crown Court was told the defendant, of Causeway, Deckham, smashed a window at the property in January last year before returning during the early hours wearing a balaclava and brandishing a knife.
Caroline McGuirk, prosecuting said: “He returned to the property at 4.12am when the family was asleep. Not knowing who it was, [the victim] opened the door and the defendant then pushed his way inside the house. He was wearing a balaclava and gloves and produced a knife that was six inches in length, causing [the victim] to feel terrified.”
The court heard Spedding believed there was a man in the house and demanded to know where the person was.
Ms McGuirk said: “The defendant tried to kiss [the victim] and left the house when she threatened to call the police. However he did not leave the vicinity and loitered in the garden, pretending he had left his keys and mobile telephone in the house.
“He knocked on the front door, reportedly in an attempt to retrieve these items and then kicked the front door before he left the area.”
Ms McGuirk told the court Spedding then sent a message to the victim in May last year threatening to blow up her house.
In a statement read out by the victim in court, she said: “This whole incident has made me feel scared. I am fearful living in my own home. He has made me question my worth with the things he has said.”
She added: “I just want to be left alone and feel safe in my own home.”
Paul Rooney, defending, told the court the defendant was “remorseful” for his actions and planned to “change his life”. He told the court Spedding acknowledged his behaviour was “out of control”.
Spedding pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, being in possession of a bladed article, two counts of criminal damage and threats to commit criminal damage. He was jailed for seven and a half years.
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