Text threats man from Mansfield receives prison sentence

A Mansfield man who sent dozens of threatening and abusive texts to his former girlfriend and landlord has been sent to prison.
Mansfield Magistrates CourtMansfield Magistrates Court
Mansfield Magistrates Court

Luke Ashton Parker, 25, of Nottingham Road, Mansfield, admitted two counts of harassment without violence on November 10 at Mansfield Crown Court.

On December 18 last year Parker sent 41 texts to the woman, followed by 53 the next day, in which he described her as ‘ignorant, lying, horrible and two faced’.

Parker texted: “I am at your house. I am stood next to your car. Are you going to make me find you? I am coming to find you. You have got some serious explaining to do.”

Donna Fawcett, prosecuting, said the woman described the experience as ‘emotionally and mentally abusive’.

Parker also harassed Kenneth Marshall, the landlord of a house on Carter Lane where he was a tenant.

Parker sent 153 text messages to Mr Marshall, most of which were ‘verbally abusive’. On December 5 2014 Parker accused Mr Marshall of conspiring against him and of illegally entering his room.

On December 6 Parker texted: “You are trying to mess with my mind and plot against me. If you’re doing what I think you’re doing I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

When Mr Marshall told Parker he was going through the eviction process, Parker sent him 40 abusive texts, leaving him afraid to visit his own property.

He texted: “I am going to come to your house you coward. You really are a pathetic excuse for a human being. I am coming to find you. I am at your address. By the time I am finished with you won’t be allowed to rent bedrooms out.”

Sarah Neale, defending, said Parker had no previous convictions. She said his mental state had been aggravated by the break-up of the relationship and problems with his accommodation on Carter Lane.

She said: “In his mind they were in a relationship until December 18. Mr Parker thought she was going to meet him after she went out with work colleagues. Initially the messages were concerned for her safety. They went on to be more insulting and abusive.

“I genuinely think Mr Parker has difficulty grasping someone else’s perceptions. He feels he has been victimised by proceedings.”

She raised concerns about his mental health and ability to cope in prison.

Sentencing Parker to 14 weeks in prison, district judge Diane Baker said: “You sent numerous texts and calls, some sent in the night, to a lady who was your partner. Most of them were abusive and threatening. She was extremely frightened by your behaviour. She had to change her life.”

Parker was banned from contacting his former partner and landlord for five years.

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