A MAN threatened to slash his ex-wife’s throat, break her jaw and shoot her after she left him following years of domestic abuse, a court heard.

The woman had been in a relationship with 52-year-old Mark Robson for 14 years but, after suffering years of domestic abuse, she fled their home earlier this year in the middle of the night.

Northallerton magistrates heard she changed her mobile phone number several times and blocked him on social media, but he still managed to contact her. He sent numerous threatening texts and voicemails over four months, between May and September this year.

At one point, Robson threatened: “I will slash your throat, break your jaw and see you in plaster of Paris” and told his former wife he would shoot her and her boyfriend.

He also sent more than 50 messages a day, asking her when she would come home. When he was arrested and cautioned by police, he admitted he had threatened to kill his ex-wife in the hope it would force her to return home.

The court heard that Robson’s former wife believed he would carry out the threats.

David Dedman, defending, said Robson accepted his behaviour was wrong and did not intend to carry out the threats.

“He accepts what he said was horrendous and vile but he doesn’t recognise that this relationship has been consistently threatening and violent," he said.

Mr Dedman said Robson was taking steps to tackle his drink problem which had blighted his life.

Robson, who admitted harassment, was issued with a 24-month community order and instructed to participate in the Building Better Relationships programme.

He was also given a restraining order, fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £325.