A grieving man fell into alcohol addiction and made a series of threats against his own family. Kevin Hawkins said he would kill his own brother and burn down the family farm.
Hawkins, 55, had been staying at his family's Pencwuarra Farm in Markham near Blackwood . Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett told Cardiff Crown Court : "According to family he has suffered mental health problems since he was relatively young. He moved away from Wales some years ago but sadly after the death of his partner he returned to live on the family farm. He ended up in a shed sleeping on hay with a number of farm animals.
"There was something of an ingrained drink problem which worsened after his return to Wales and clearly spiralled somewhat out of control during spring of this year. He bore something of a grudge against his brother David though it appears the family farm itself was and still is owned by the defendant's elderly mother."
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David Hawkins, who was also involved with the farm, said police had been called to deal with his brother's threatening behaviour eight or nine times without prosecuting him. The family allowed him to continue staying in the shed.
Police were called again on the night of April 15 and found the defendant shouting he would kill David and "burn this place down". He attempted to start a fight with his sibling but police held him back and brought him into custody.
Mr Bennett said: "The defendant was released and returned to the farm the next day, again behaving erratically, shouting and threatening people. His sister was called in an effort to calm him down. Again he made threats to kill and to destroy the farm. Police were called again and this time formally arrested him. He was noted to be headbutting the cage inside the police vehicle.
"The family of the defendant were extremely fearful. They described him as drinking 'all day every day'. Some of the prosecution witnesses say in their statement that they bear no ill will towards the defendant and they were effectively forced to involve the police.
"David Hawkins said this has upset him seriously and he wants the defendant to get help for his drinking problem. He is fearful for the safety of the family."
The defendant, who has since moved to Leigh Sinton in Worcestershire, admitted two counts of making threats to kill and two of threatening to destroy property. He has 17 offences on his record though his barrister Stuart John pointed out he had largely stayed out of trouble since 2004 and argued there is a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.
Mr John said: "Alcohol is a problem. He says he doesn't drink a great deal but when he does he is irrational and impulsive and it has an impact on himself and others. He has had a good relationship in the past with all his siblings apart from David Hawkins. He now has a fixed permanent address and his mental health has stabilised."
Judge Daniel Williams described the death of Hawkins' partner as "tragic" and said he took into account his settled address and improvement in mental health. Suspending a nine-month prison term for 18 months the judge said: "If you complete that and stay out of trouble that will be an end to this."
Hawkins must complete 16 rehab activity days and and pay £350 in prosecution costs and a £156 victim services surcharge. The judge also imposed a three-year order restraining Hawkins from contacting the family members. Asked how Hawkins would pay the costs Mr John suggested a rate of £10 per fortnight.
Judge Williams asked "Is that the best he can do?" The barrister replied that Hawkins' finances are "very difficult" to which the judge said: "I think if booze were cut down it may help." Mr John then said his client could pay £20 per fortnight. You can read more court stories here.
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