Dereham man sent woman violent threats in over 250 messages

John Bartle, 38, called the woman more than 250 times in two days including threatening to “smash her face in”. 

He also told her he would send intimate photos to her family and work colleagues, Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told. 

His victim had been left “scared of what he would be capable of”, said prosecutors.  

The harassment began after an incident when he had attacked the woman at a Norfolk pub in October 2022, including him grabbing her by the throat and biting her face. 

READ MORE: Violent and sexual offences now half of crimes in Norfolk

The court was told on March 8 she had received an unsolicited call from him and, despite blocking the number, she received hundreds of further calls from withheld numbers in the following 48 hours.  

The woman received messages containing threats to disclose intimate images (Image: PA)

“The defendant also left a number of voicemails in which he told her that he had sent to her daughter’s girlfriend and work colleagues explicit photos and videos of her” the court was told. 

“He also left a number of voicemails where he said ‘you’re lucky I don’t live near you, I want to smash your face in’.” 

He also made a series of further verbal threats towards the woman’s daughter including homophobic abuse.

READ MORE: Stalking and harassment now as common as theft in Norfolk

In a statement read in court the victim said: “The incident in the pub has left me feeling distraught. I was in so much shock at the time that I was unable to even talk to the police.

“I was scared of what he would be capable of. The last year has caused me a lot of pain with his behaviour impacting my personal life.”

Bartle, of Bell Yard in Dereham, admitted assault, harassment, and sending threatening communications. 

Magistrates committed him to be sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on November 26 saying they had insufficient powers.