A Darwen man who bombarded his ex-partner with threatening messages and videos showing him holding a gun on New Year’s Day has been jailed.
Clarke Jones, 32, of Tythbarn Street, appeared before Recorder Katie Jones at Preston Crown Court having pleaded guilty to stalking at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that Jones and the victim had been in a relationship for around seven years but separated about a year before the incident, though they remained in contact because of their children.
Prosecutor Stephen Parker said the victim received a WhatsApp message from Jones shortly after 9am on January 1 this year, asking for £3 for food.
When she refused, Jones began sending a stream of abusive messages, voice notes and video calls over the next two hours.
In the messages, he called her names, blamed her for the end of their relationship, and sent alarming videos in which he appeared to load a handgun.
In one, he pointed the firearm towards his head and said he intended to shoot himself, telling her: “You caused this.”
In another, he threatened to shoot her and others, saying he would “put a bullet in everyone’s head”.
Police arrested Jones later that day. No firearm or imitation weapon was ever recovered, and during his arrest, he suggested the gun was not real, telling officers they would “find blanks” in his drawer.
Jones, who has previous convictions including possession of a bladed article and harassment, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
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Sacha Waxman, mitigating, said Jones was “deeply ashamed” of his behaviour and had fully detoxed from alcohol and drugs since being remanded in custody.
She told the court he had engaged with mental health treatment and education during his time in prison.
Recorder Jones described the defendant’s behaviour as “frankly dreadful and disgusting”, telling him he had intended to cause “maximum fear” to the victim.
“You inundated her with abusive messages, voicenotes and videos over the course of two hours,” she said.
“You were manic in your presentation, waving what appeared to be a gun and threatening to shoot yourself and others. She was left in genuine fear you would carry out those threats.”
Recorder Jones added that Jones posed a high risk of harm to the public and that his offending could not be managed in the community.
“You are, quite frankly, lucky you are not facing more serious charges,” she said.
Jones was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
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