A 26-year-old scaffolder from Onchan has been fined £500 after a vendetta with his partner’s ex got out of hand.

Bobby Michael Williams, of Hibben Avenue, admitted an offence of provoking behaviour after he called his partner’s ex telling him he would ’put a blade in his chest’ and ’bite his nose off his face’.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court how, on the evening of March 11, Williams made a number of threatening phone calls to his partner’s ex.

Williams told him that he would ’take his life’ if he continued to interfere with family matters.

He then appeared outside the man’s home and tried to goad him into going outside.

Williams said he would gouge the man’s eyes out and ’happily do time’ during one call.

When quizzed by police Williams admitted threatening to kill the man but said he would never have carried out the threat.

He said he had just wanted him to know that he would punch him if he continued to interfere.

Defending Williams in court his advocate Matthew Wilshaw said that there was a sad background to the offence.

Mr Wilshaw said that his client had moved to the island three years ago and started a relationship with the complainant’s former partner.

Snapped

The advocate said there had been issues between the two men for three years and that the complainant himself had received cautions after incidents.

’He continues to interfere in Mr Williams’ life on a regular basis,’ said Mr Wilshaw.

’Mr Williams has finally snapped and made those phone calls.

’He accepts he has threatened to hurt him if he continues to interfere in his life.

’At the time of the calls he would say the complainant was laughing like a hyena so he wasn’t threatened.

’He does accept he said he was going to kill him but didn’t have any intention.

’He does suffer from a diagnosed mental health condition which he receives treatment for.

’I submit that does go a long way to explaining the way he has reacted.

Stress

’The last three years have left him relying more on mental health assistance to deal with the stress.’

Magistrates chairman Julian Ashcroft said while passing sentence: ’It is clear these matters have been going on for some time.

’I hope for your benefit and the complainant’s benefit they do cease.’

Williams was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.