Hartlepool man in court over chilling threat to slit his partner’s throat

Phillip Metcalfe, 33, was under the influence of drink or drugs when he made the ‘appalling’ threat to the woman after she broke up with him, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He went round to the woman’s house on Tuesday, October 8, while children were playing outside and began shouting.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said: “He was shouting this inexplicably ‘you know if I was out of it the kids would have no mam because I would slit your throat’.

“Neighbours also witnessed this event and heard the defendant threaten to slit the throat of his partner while she slept.”

The victim was scared and went to a neighbour’s house but Metcalfe followed.

He was told to go away, but refused.

When their daughter tried to intervene Metcalfe threatened to have her assaulted on her way to school each day, the court heard.

He left but returned again at 1.30am when he was arrested.

At a previous court appearance, Metcalfe pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words of behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to the woman.

It put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence for a non-dwelling burglary when he was caught with stolen copper.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said in mitigation for Metcalfe: “It was as a result of the relationship coming to an end.

“He was effectively unable to deal with it and made things worse by taking drugs and drinking and it has led to the commission of this offence.”

Mr Constantine said there was potential for his partner to take Metcalfe back if he addressed his drink and drug issues.

“He recognises that there’s work he needs to do,” said Mr Constantine. “He’s willing to do it.”

Judge James Brown warned Metcalfe he could come to the attention of the local authority if he continues to act as he did in front of children.

The judge said: “You should be utterly ashamed of yourself.”

Metcalfe, of Sheriff Street, Hartlepool, was given a 12 month community order with 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement.