Jailed jealous ex threatened 'to go psycho'

Burnley magistrates heard how "controlling" Kevin Yates (23), who was on licence from jail, kicked a door into Jade Watson's face two days after his release.

He also took her phone off her, began to look through the numbers, became paranoid she had been speaking to men and punched her right arm, leaving a bruise. A week later, he turned up at the taxi office where she worked, followed her and pushed her in the chest, knocking her to the floor.

Yates, who, the bench was told, had forbidden the victim from wearing certain clothes and from seeing her friends, made threats and told Ms Watson: "I'm going to go psycho."

The defendant, who was recalled to custody after the string of offences against the victim, has also been banned from contacting Ms Watson, of Brunswick Street, Burnley, after the justices made a two-year restraining order.

Yates, of Comrie Crescent, Burnley, admitted damaging a front window to the tune of £200, sending an electronic communication conveying a threat, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and three counts of assault by beating, between October 22nd and November 10th.

Prosecutor Mr Andrew Robinson told the court the relationship between Yates and Ms Watson began in November 2015 and ended in September. He continued: "She says it started well, but it began to deteriorate before he went to prison in December."

The defendant sent text messages to the victim, threatening to give her black eyes. He also told her: "I'm going to hurt you. I don't care how much you scream. I'm going to terrorise this town. I'm going to go psycho."

Mr Robinson said Yates also appeared in the street and threw stones at Ms Watson's window, again shouting threats and also threatening an elderly woman neighbour.

Mr Ben Leech (defending) said Yates had been visited regularly in custody by his partner. The solicitor continued: "He maintains this relationship was going on right up until November 10/11th."

Mr Leech said when the defendant came out of prison, he intended to set up home with Ms Watson, but unfortunately they argued. He told the hearing: "The defendant saw photos of her with another male and that's why he lost his temper and punched her arm." Yates didn't intend to cause Ms Watson injury when the door hit her nose.

The solicitor added: "He says it's probably better if there is a line drawn under this relationship."