Man Imprisoned for Threatening Partner Over Police Report

An individual received an eight-month prison sentence for threatening his partner subsequent to her reporting to law enforcement that he had assaulted her. Newcastle Crown Court was informed that Nigel Blackburn, aged 42, under the influence of drugs and alcohol, dispatched voice messages in May, instructing the woman not to be a “grass”. Blackburn, a resident of Jarrow, South Tyneside, who had prior convictions for harassing a different former partner, pleaded guilty to the charge of intimidating a witness. The court also heard that he faced an accusation of assaulting the woman, who was at that time concerned she might have breast cancer; however, this charge was withdrawn after she withdrew her initial statement. Prosecutor Jordan Parkinson stated that Blackburn, residing on Castleton Road, initially began a relationship with the woman 26 years prior, and they had resumed their relationship for several months preceding May of this year. On May 28, during a period when the woman was concerned about potentially having breast cancer, Blackburn reportedly straddled her while she was asleep and delivered multiple punches to her head, according to court proceedings. Ms Parkinson further explained that three days subsequent to this, while the woman was communicating with law enforcement regarding the assault, Blackburn transmitted voice messages to her, labeling her a “grass” and asserting that if he were incarcerated, he would “come out and do worse”. The court was informed that the victim subsequently withdrew her statements to officers, citing her unwillingness to appear in court due to a decline in her mental well-being. This intimidation offense also constituted a violation of a community order he was under for harassing a woman with whom he had been involved for 15 years, as presented in court. During mitigation, Fiona Lamb stated that Blackburn had consumed cocaine and alcohol at the time of the incident. Judge Tim Gittins remarked that Blackburn’s threats “implied serious violence” and that he ought to have been “seeking to look after” the woman, concerning whom they were “concerned” she might have been suffering from a serious illness at that period.