NIKOLAS GASPER

A man who dubbed himself “the devil” and issued threats to set fire to a woman’s residence has received an 18-month prison sentence.

Nikolas Gasper sent 37 threatening messages in a single day, vowing to visit the victim’s home armed with a machete.

He told her she was “f***ing with the wrong person” after she contacted the police, and called her “a rat” and “a snitch”.

Prosecutor Ashleigh Metcalfe told Bradford Crown Court that Gasper and the woman had a history of being in a relationship and had cohabited.

Following a dispute in early August of the previous year, Gasper punched a wall, leaving a prominent dent.

He left the premises but returned on August 17 and threatened to break her windows.

That evening at 9 pm, he arrived with three accomplices and pulled out a machete from his waistband.

When he saw a police car, which he believed to be authentic, he discarded the weapon under a parked vehicle.

During an altercation in the street, he seized the woman by her hair and warned her about male associates waiting for her.

The next day, he sent 37 voice messages and texts via Facebook Messenger, confessing his intention to burn her house and come prepared with a machete.

Gasper called himself “the devil” and claimed to be forming a gang with “real men” wearing balaclavas.

He stated he would “leave her traumatised”.

The victim experienced anxiety, migraines, and fear, prompting her mother to check on her wellbeing.

It was also disclosed that Gasper, residing at New Town Court, West Lane, Keighley, was on licence after serving a three-year sentence for robberies in 2022.

He also has previous convictions for attempted robbery and violent disorder.

He admitted to charges of harassment, possessing a knife, and criminal damage.

His solicitor argued that he lacked maturity and carried a machete for self-protection, citing involvement with gangs since age 13, including county lines drug operations.

Judge Mr Recorder Andrew Haslam KC sentenced him to 13 months for harassment, an additional five months for possessing the machete (to run consecutively), and three months for criminal damage (to run concurrently).

A five-year restraining order was also issued, prohibiting contact with the victim.

The judge highlighted the severity of his offences, remarking “Your conduct was aimed at causing fear or distress and was persistent, especially considering the frequency and content of the Facebook voice messages.

Your actions clearly inflicted distress and psychological harm upon [the victim].”