DAD TOLD EX 'YOU'RE DEAD' BEFORE ATTACKING HER WITH SLIPPER
Dad Joshua Heath has been spared jail after he sent his ex partner threatening messages and assaulted her.The 33-year-old turned angry after she ended their relationship and told her he was going to make her life hell.
And he sent emotive messages in which he threatened to kill himself and told her she would be to blame.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard she obtained a non-molestation order but allowed him into her home.
The defendant then threw a slipper at her and attacked her.
Now Heath has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.
Prosecutor Matthew Ness said the defendant was in a relationship with a woman from 2022 but she ended it in August 2024 as a result of his behaviour and issues in the relationship.
However, in October 2024 she found she was pregnant with his child.
In January 2025 she decided she did not want the defendant to be with her children due to his anger issues.
He sent an email which included: "I will see you in court mate.
I am going to make your life hell.
You are dead." In another set of messages he said: "Watch, I am going to kill myself.
If I see you, I will ruin you.
I hate you.
Tell my mum I am dead because of you." Mr Ness said: "He sent with these messages a photo of him holding a kitchen knife to his left wrist.
He made repeated threats to kill himself.
He called her a slag and threatened to attack any man who came into her life and threatened to put them in hospital." "There was a constant stream of messages between January 7 and 13.
She did not reply and blocked him and out of fear she fled her address on January 13 and went to live at her mother's." The victim had a non-molestation order granted against the defendant and had CCTV fitted and moved back into her home.
Despite the order being in place she allowed Heath to attend her address.
On May 24, 2025 he arrived at 8.30pm and soon turned aggressive.
Mr Ness said: "He called her a slag.
She told him to leave.
He refused.
She was sitting on her bed.
The defendant was threatening to kill himself if she forced him to leave.
She told him she would call the police.
He knocked her phone off the coffee table.
He picked up a slipper and threw it at her.
It hit her in her head.
The defendant said, 'No marks, no proof'.
He slapped her with his right hand, connecting with her left ear.
"He left at midnight but messaged his victim from his mother's Facebook account apologising and intimating that he was going to kill himself." Heath, formerly of Chell Heath, but now of Greensome Close, Stafford, pleaded guilty to putting a person in fear of violence by harassment; sending a threatening communication; breaching a non-molestation order and assault by beating.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Heath, who has no previous convictions, feels responsibility for his actions.
He said: "He does not seek to victim-blame and he wants me to apologise to the court and to the victim.
These offences are against a background of poor mental health.
He is now deeply ashamed of his behaviour.
He is sorry for the way he acted.
He has suffered for many years with anxiety and depression and he has suffered for years with thoughts of self-harm.
He wants to return to work.
He is likely to be vulnerable in a custodial environment." As part of the suspended sentence order Heath must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and a programme requirement.
Judge Sally Hancox said: "You picked up a slipper and threw it at her and you slapped her.
You have accepted criminal responsibility for these events.
You have to take responsibility for your actions.
The court has been told you do take full responsibility.
You do not wish to victim-blame her.
The victim has declined to request a restraining order.
The court has been told she has moved from her address." Heath was ordered to pay £400 costs.
