Derbyshire man who harangued estranged wife pleads: “please do not send me to prison - I’m a good man"

Timothy Cartledge, 47, phoned his “scared” wife 50 times during one day and “bombarded” her on social media, a court heard.

Cannabis smoker Cartledge sent her videos of himself smoking the drug, multiple WhatsApp messages using the word “kill” and threatened to “flood Facebook with everything” in a voicemail.

Cartledge, convicted of harassment, even showed up at his “terrified” wife’s home - hammering on the door and throwing a brick through the window of a car parked outside.

However he fled the scene before police arrived during the September 15 incident.

North East Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard how Cartledge - described as a “controlling” gambler and a drinker by his wife - had a nine-year-old son with her.

Following their split the couple had been able to have “two-way conversations” however his “bewildered” wife broke-off contact with him following the threatening texts and calls in September.

Becky Allsop, prosecuting, told how his victim said Cartledge’s “unreasonable behaviour, gambling, drinking and cannabis misuse” led to the breakdown of the relationship.

Ms Allsop said following the incident at his wife’s home - which left the family car damaged - left her feeling “unsafe”.

While three videos self-employed Cartledge sent showing him smoking cannabis left her feeling “bewildered and upset”.

The prosecutor said: “She feared he could hurt her physically, saying she was terrified of him when he was angry.

“She says day-to-day life was has been extremely stressful and affected her and her son’s mental health”

Cartledge, of Hangar Hill, previously found guilty of harassment without violence in his absence, represented himself before Chesterfield magistrates during a hearing today (Monday).

The father-of-one, who refused to stand because he was unwell told magistrates: “Please do not send me to prison - I’m a good man. I would never hurt anybody.”

As the court discussed adjourning his sentence for probation reports the 47-year-old pleaded to be sentenced immediately.

He said: “Give me 100 hours and I will help people - if I’m given community service I’d rather help people.”

However, adjourning his sentence until March 25 a magistrate told him: “we’re considering a custodial sentence”.

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