A prisoner who made a menacing phone call to his ex-partner after she formed a new relationship has been jailed again for five months.
Prosecutors said Gary Holmes, 33, contacted the woman from HMP Magilligan to issue the threat: “Wait until I get you.”
Holmes, with an address at Ulsterdale Street in East Belfast, was convicted of improper use of a public electronic communications network.
The city’s Magistrates Court heard he made vague threats about the woman and her new partner in a call from the prison on November 25 last year.
At the time Holmes was serving a sentence for unrelated matters.
A recording was seized and examined after police were alerted.
“He said he would punch the head clean off (her),” a Crown lawyer added.
Fears were expressed by the woman about what could happen when he was released.
During interviews Holmes confirmed that he made the comments but claimed they were not meant.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Burke told the court his client has also expressed deep remorse.
“This was a breakdown in a relationship during his stay in custody,” Mr Burke said.
“He reacted in a completely inappropriate way and made this phone call which was obviously going to be recorded.
“It was a very silly thing to have done.”
Imposing five months custody, District Judge George Conner said: “It was a very serious threat, and taken seriously.”
