Mansfield man sent Facebook abuse when partner told him to leave

Craig Worthington, 33, of Saundby Avenue, admitted criminal damage and sending indecent or grossly-offensive messages.

The court heard Worthington had been in an eight-year relationship and had two children, but he and his partner split up last year.

He continued living in the same house, but the relationship deteriorated following the death of his father, and his drinking increased.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said: “On May 15 his partner told Worthington to leave her house.”

He sent abusive Facebook messages calling her ‘horrible names’, said Mr Carr.

When she returned home she discovered Worthington in the back garden shed so she decided to go to a friend’s house.

Mr Carr said: “She got more abusive messages and he threatened to damage her property. He said he had two cans of petrol. He was going to break a window and kick the door off to get in.

“He went on to say he hoped she had an accident in the car and would burn and die horribly.

“She thought he was capable of doing some of these acts. She thought his condition had got to the stage where she couldn’t provide the help and support he needed.”

On May 21 she awoken by knocking on the front door at her address on Brick Kiln Lane in Mansfield.

“She could see Mr Worthington bending the wing mirror of her car,” said Mr Carr. “He kicked the driver’s door causing a dent.”

The court heard Worthington had appeared before the court in 2010 for driving offences.

Mary Dixon, mitigating, said the death of his father earlier in the year had affected him greatly.

She said: “Mr Worthington has always drunk but it’s usually under control but this has really tipped him over the edge. He is very, very depressed.

“He said he was completely drunk and didn’t know what he was writing. He would never do anything to harm his family.”

She said he had been unable to access mental health support because he didn’t have a fixed address.

“Hopefully this crisis that he’s in will trigger some help,” said Mrs Dixon.

Worthington’s ex-partner was in court to show her support for him, she added.

Magistrates gave him a 12-month community order in which he must attend alcohol treatment courses. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £85 and costs of £40.