Man messaged woman saying 'she needed to be killed,' court told
King's Lynn magistrates court - Credit: Chris Bishop
A man who messaged a woman telling her that she was “evil” and “needed to be killed” has been sentenced to a community order.
Mark Thomas Svensson of HIgham Green, King's Lynn, appeared before Lynn magistrates on Thursday. He had earlier pleaded guilty to sending messages of a grossly offensive and menacing character, and criminal damage at an earlier hearing.
The court was told that Svensson, 47, was arrested for a breach of the peace at an address on the Fairstead Estate on August 31 last year. He was drunk and released without charge the following morning.
The court was told he then messaged the woman telling her that he didn’t want to talk to her again. Abusive messages followed, including that she needed to be killed.
Svensson, of Higham Green, also returned to her home, shouting and kicking property.
Police were called again and opened a back gate to find Svensson on the other side.
“He tried to run away but was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage,” said prosecutor Michael Devaney.
Most Read
- 1 M&S to close 32 stores as part of move away from town centres
- 2 Every household in the UK to get £400 to help with rising energy bills
- 3 Where you can see the Red Arrows over Norfolk this weekend
- 4 Explained: What the cost of living support package means for you
- 5 8 places where you can see fireworks for free in Norfolk for the jubilee
- 6 Neighbours shock at ‘unexplained’ sudden death of woman
- 7 Norfolk holiday home named one of the best in the UK
- 8 'Our homes will be destroyed' - Neighbours' fears over proposed pylon route
- 9 WATCH: 'Unplayable' delivery from Suffolk bowler goes viral
- 10 Man dies of collapsed lung after 'busy' hospital meant x-ray was missed
In a victim personal statement, the complainant said she took the message about being killed seriously. Following the incident she had been too scared to leave her house for fear of bumping into Svensson.
In mitigation, solicitor Andrew Cogan said Svensson had not breached his bail conditions imposed on September 1 last year by contacting the complainant in any form.
“He’s deeply ashamed of what he’s done and asked me to make that clear,” added Mr Cogan.
“This was drink-inspired. He has stopped drinking, in effect from September 1. He’s healthier, happier and not to say a little wealthier too.”
Bench chairman Paul Kidd said: “From the outset, this bench would like to commend you on getting off the drink because that’s one of the steps you needed to take.”
Unemployed Svensson’s 12-month community order includes a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was fined £50 and told to pay £45 victim surcharge and £50 compensation.
A two-year restraining order was imposed to prevent him contacting the woman or attending her home.
