Chesterfield man jailed after sending threatening messages to former partner after he was spared prison for assaulting her

Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday, July 22, that Scott Michael Hancock had been given the suspended sentence in September for violence against his former partner and another person and had left the family home.

Prior to the most recent incident, Hancock’s former partner, who is the mother of their young child, formed a new relationship and the 32-year-old became obsessed that the man had moved in with her and the child during lockdown, the court heard.

Hancock, of Cherry Tree Drive, Duckmanton, admitted sending threatening messages when he appeared before the court.

Prosecuting, Becky Allsop said that on April 1 he had called wanting to speak to his daughter on several occasions but was unable to because on one occasion she was eating, and when he called back later she had gone to bed.

He then sent a series of messages accusing his ex of moving the other man into her home during lockdown and threatening violence against them both.

Mitigating, Steve Brint said that Hancock had become paranoid over the coronavirus because of his cocaine use.

He said: “This was at the height of the pandemic. He doesn’t have an issue with his former partner having a new relationship, but he genuinely thought that this chap, who is not of the same household was staying with his former partner during lockdown.

“He sent the messages because he was struggling to control his anger and because he was paranoid because of the drink and drugs he was taking.”

Jailing Hancock for 12 weeks, District Judge JonathanTaaffe said: “It is clear from the content of the messages that they were threatening and that you were more concerned about her entering into a new relationship.”

He also issued a two-year restraining order and ordered Hancock to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

Hancock will serve six weeks behind bars and the rest in the community.

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