Man who threatened to kill ex-girlfriend jailed

Terrance Rock, of Anne Crescent, Evesham, at first seemed to accept the relationship with Rosie Barnett was over. But some time later, when she told him she had a new boyfriend, he started to send text messages to try and get her back, Peter Grice, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court.

When she did not respond, the messages became “abusive and threatening”, he said. One of the messages from the 39-year-old said: “I hope you rot and die” and another said: “I won’t leave you alone until you’re all in bodybags.” He called her and said no one would want her because he was going to throw acid in her face.

Mr Grice said he had started a new relationship with Sarah Smith and Miss Barnett told her about the messages. She spoke to Rock, who produced two kitchen knives and said he was going to kill Miss Barnett.

Miss Smith called the psychiatric unit in Worcester and Rock repeated a threat to kill to them. He said he had worked out exactly how he was going to do it and seemed calm. The police were called and found knives and two cans full of petrol at his home. He told them the voices in his head were making him do it.

He admitted making a threat to kill and harassment. He was also in breach of a restraining order imposed in October last year and had been sent by magistrates for sentence.

Richard Hull, defending, said Rock was a schizophrenic who stopped taking his medication once he felt better, without realising it was the drugs that were working. Judge Christopher Plunkett said it was unfortunate that there was no other way of dealing with the case than to send Rock to prison.

He hoped Rock would be able to use the time inside to learn how to stick to a routine of taking the drugs.

He gave Rock 12 months for the threats to kill, with no separate penalty for harassment and six months concurrent for breaching the restraining order He also imposed a new restraining order to keep Rock away from Rosie Barnett, her boyfriend Joseph Smith and Sarah Smith.