A MAN made threatening phone calls to his girlfriend’s landlord after she had been accused of smashing the windows of a neighbour’s property.

John Nesbitt, 41, made a number of phone calls to his victim from an unknown number on November 17, 2021, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Nesbitt told his victim that he was going to “smash his teeth in”. He said he had “killed before” and the victim “would be next”.

The victim suspected that the male phoning was Nesbitt. He denied it was him but a subscriber check by police confirmed that it was Nesbitt who had made the calls.

Ms Fee said a total of eight or nine calls had been made. The victim said he had been concerned for his wife who had been at home alone while he was at work.

Nesbitt, of Church Street, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to sending by means of a public electronic communications network matter, a number of calls that were grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

John Cooper, defending, said there had been trouble between the defendant’s girlfriend and a neighbour who lives two doors down from her.

He said the neighbour had damaged a van that Nesbitt had bought for her. A couple of days later somebody had damaged the windows of the neighbour’s property, which is owned by the victim.

Mr Cooper said the victim had then “put two and two together” and accused Nesbitt’s girlfriend of being responsible for the damage.

He said the victim had gone round to the chip shop where Nesbitt’s girlfriend works and was shouting that she must be responsible.

Mr Cooper said: “Mr Nesbitt says she has been threatened. That’s what he has been told by his partner.

“Later on that day, he has been drinking. He got the number off her and phoned him. It’s the most ridiculous conversation I have heard in some time.

“When he was spoken to by police, he couldn’t remember if it was him.

“She [Nesbitt’s partner] was accused of going out at night and smashing windows. She had a really small child in the house.”

The case was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report o be carried out by the probation service.

Nesbitt was granted unconditional bail until his next court appearance on January 24.

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