MAN THREATENED TO PETROL BOMB HIS EX'S HOME AND SAID, 'I DON'T CARE IF THE KIDS ARE THERE'
A man who was consumed by jealousy repeatedly contacted his former partner after their breakup and harassed her, making threats to injure her and her family, including remarks that he was indifferent to whether her children were present.Ryan Howells, aged 32, and the woman had been in a relationship for five years, and together they had two children.
The woman ended the relationship on August 17, and Howells responded by issuing violent threats against her and her family.
Despite her blocking his number, he continued to call her multiple times.
At a hearing held at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, December 23, Howells was heard saying to the victim: "I am going to petrol bomb your car" and "I am going to petrol bomb your window, I don't care if the kids are there." A court report encourages readers to sign up for the crime newsletter to stay informed.
The victim was left in fear and believed that Howells was capable of acting on these threats.
He called her over 100 times using withheld numbers, during which he called her a "slut" and a "rat," and threatened to visit her residence in Caerphilly.
Howells was detained on September 1 and was found in possession of 1.9 grams of cannabis, a grinder, and a joint.
His bail conditions prohibited him from contacting the victim, but he violated this by calling her again.
In one message, he asked her to "drop the charges," but she refused, and he persisted with frequent calls.
He also threatened to steal her car and drive it into her sister’s house, and to harm her mother by "bonneting" her.
Gwent Police posted an appeal on social media for information about Howells’ location, and the victim received more than 50 missed calls from him.
Later, Howells' brother reported him after fearing he had taken an overdose of tablets.
Police found him unresponsive in a garden shed at his home.
He was transported to hospital and subsequently interviewed by authorities.
During the interview, he became agitated and threw a cup of tea against a wall, smashing it.
Currently homeless, Howells pleaded guilty to charges of harassment, criminal damage, and possession of cannabis.
The court noted he had 19 prior convictions.
In a victim personal statement read in court, the woman described her ongoing anxiety: "I've had panic attacks regarding the safety of my family members, especially my parents.
I've had night terrors thinking he's in my bedroom.
My medication dosage has increased for anxiety and depression.
I even tried to take an overdose because it became too much to handle and I wanted to escape." She added, "He made me feel it's my fault he's in trouble with the police.
I become emotional over how much I love and care for him but I stepped away because I realised the relationship was not ok." In mitigation, Sol Hartley acknowledged that Howells had a difficult childhood and struggled with drug misuse but noted he had started breaking this pattern during his detention.
Judge Vanessa Francis sentenced Howells to 10 months in prison and imposed a five-year restraining order.
She expressed hope that he would recognise the harm of his actions and that his behavior was unacceptable.
