He also threatened to ‘punch out’ the woman’s teeth and to ‘smash’ her boyfriend ‘all over’ in front of her
A menacing and intimidating bully sent a barrage of frightening messages “threatening all sorts of dreadful things” – including petrol bombing a woman’s home and warning that he would stab her and put her “in a box”. Heavy-drinking drug user Daniel Whitehead also threatened to “punch out” her teeth and to “smash” her boyfriend “all over” in front of her, Hull Crown Court heard.
Whitehead, 24, of Amberley Close, Bransholme, Hull, admitted two offences of sending communications threatening death or serious harm on September 3 and 20. He also admitted assault on September 19 and possessing cannabis on September 20.
Katy Welford, prosecuting, said that a woman suspected that her daughter was in a relationship with Whitehead but he denied this. During a telephone call on September 3, Whitehead threatened to “punch out” the mother’s teeth and he warned her: “I’ll come round there and petrol bomb the house.”
Whitehead also threatened to punch her boyfriend in the face and warned her: “I’ll smash him all over in front of you. I’m going to stab you and put you in a box.”
In another message, he said: “Go and put a noose around your neck.” The woman felt in fear for her safety.
On September 19, a funeral wake took place at a pub and Whitehead arrived for it under the influence of alcohol. “He remained outside drinking,” said Miss Welford.
“He came into the venue and he continued to drink.” He behaved in an erratic, emotional and aggressive way and left. A woman was concerned and followed him but he remained aggressive.
“He continued with his erratic behaviour,” said Miss Welford. Whitehead became aggressive towards a man who was on the scene. The man started to walk away but Whitehead pushed him. Another man became involved and there was a confrontation.
Whitehead was restrained and the police and an ambulance arrived. The next morning, September 20, a woman woke up to find messages and voice mails threatening to harm the other man who had got involved the previous day. Whitehead threatened to gouge that man’s eyes out.
“She continued to receive threatening messages and recordings,” said Miss Welford. The man took the threats seriously. “The messages were quite nasty,” said Miss Welford.
Whitehead was arrested the same day and police found an iPad on which the messages had been sent. Two bags of cannabis were found. Whitehead had convictions for seven previous offences, including assault and possessing cannabis in June 2022.
Molly Minter, mitigating, said that Whitehead had, at the time of the court case, been in custody for about eight weeks. “It has been a sharp shock being in prison,” said Miss Minter.
“It has forced him to stop his alcohol use. He says that he will not do this again. He would welcome an alcohol monitoring requirement.” Father-of-two Whitehead pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson said that Whitehead sent messages “threatening all sorts of dreadful things” and it might be true that none of it would have happened if he had not been abusing alcohol on a daily basis.
“You have had a decent taste of custody and you say you are fully aware of what awaits you if you commit further offences,” said the deputy circuit judge. “You can be intimidating to people by doing what you did to the people on those occasions.
“It is worse if the victims are women.” It was really unpleasant, extended threatening behaviour and Whitehead made intimidating comments and used intimidation.
Whitehead was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 20 days’ rehabilitation and a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring order. He was given a two-year restraining order.