“You are a bully. You are someone who likes to bully women and it appears, their children.”
Those were the strong words from a judge who has sentenced a domestic abuser to more than three years in jail.
Luke King acted violently and threateningly towards his ex-partner on several occasions over the course of 2021, Basildon Crown Court was told.
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The 34-year-old, who had been with the victim for two years, sent WhatsApp messages to her threatening to harm her teenage son and family on January 9, 2021.
One of the messages read: “I’ll put a rope around your boy’s neck and drag him down the street,” the court was told.
Another said: “Go be a little snitch my pals know where you are.”
On April 22 King exploded in a fit of rage when his partner did not come home when he demanded.
She was out having drinks at a friend’s house, the court was told, when King told her she must come home as he had made dinner – a microwave meal, the victim recalled.
He sent 30 threatening texts and made 30 calls, before smashing up the house, causing about £1,000 worth of damage.
Her lounge had been “tipped upside down and her TV was hanging off the wall and Mr King had smashed the screen,” the court was told.
All of the draws in her house had been pulled out and turned upside down “as if ransacked,” the prosecution said.
In separate spate of violence, King smashed the victim’s window with a bottle and spat in her face on May 8, the court was told.
In his sentencing remarks, judge Shane Collery said: “Mr King has 21 convictions for 46 offences.
“This offence reveals the man you are.
“You are a bully. You are someone who likes to bully women and it appears, their children."
King, of Paarl Road, Canvey, pleaded guilty to three chargs of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress, three charges of common assault by beating, two charges of damaging property, three charges Putting a person in fear of violence by harassment, and intimidation.
He was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190.
King was also slapped with a 10-year-restraining order against the victim.
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