GREGORY GAIR FROM NEWPORT SENTENCED AFTER OBSESSIVE AND VIOLENT THREATS IN CARDIFF

The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of obsessive and threatening behavior exhibited by Gregory Gair, a 36-year-old man from Newport. The case centered around his relentless harassment of a woman he had met only once, during a single date. Following their brief encounter, Gair initiated a campaign of intimidation that persisted for over a year, during which he inundated her with a barrage of messages across various platforms, including texts, voice notes, and emails.

Gair’s conduct escalated to alarming levels when he attempted to disguise his voice by adopting a Northern Irish accent while issuing violent threats. Among his most menacing statements were threats to 'rip her heart out' and to kill her, alongside other violent declarations such as 'I will gut you like a fish' and claims that he had hired a hitman to carry out harm against her. Despite the woman making it clear that she did not wish to pursue any further contact and blocking him from her phone, Gair continued his harassment unabated. His persistence was exemplified by a series of 31 missed video calls within a span of just 45 minutes, which he made in an attempt to re-establish communication.

The threats grew more severe over time, with Gair claiming that he had hired individuals to watch her residence. He also threatened to petrol bomb her home, kidnap her, and carry out murder. On October 21, he sent a particularly disturbing voice message in which he declared, 'I will rip your f****** heart from your body and make the bloody thing beat until it stops. I will kill you,' followed by another threat, 'I will gut you like a f****** fish.' The victim described feeling increasingly intimidated, scared, and trapped by Gair’s relentless harassment, to the point where she resorted to turning off her phone to escape the barrage of messages.

Gair’s conduct was brought before Cardiff Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of harassment, making threats to kill, and sexual assault. The court was informed that Gair had a prior criminal record that included convictions for battery, public disorder, harassment, and a caution for malicious communications. During the investigation, further allegations emerged when Gair was accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Newport city centre by touching her beneath her dress. The victim and her friends confronted him after the incident. Initially denying the assault, Gair later admitted to the act after CCTV footage was presented as evidence.

The court sentenced Gair, of Bishton Street, Newport, to a total of 27 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to comply with a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order that will remain in effect for five years, aiming to protect potential future victims from his harmful behavior.