An ex-boyfriend brandished a 'gun' in a Snapchat video while threatening his former partner.
Nathan Creighton told his ex, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, “I’ve got this for yous” [sic] and also filmed himself saying: “If you think I’m f***ing about.”
A court was told that while it is not known whether it was a real gun his victim was very frightened and anxious.
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Creighton, who had previously been abusive to his ex after their four month relationship ended, was violent and aggressive with police after his arrest.
Liverpool Crown Court was told police described him as a “serial abusive domestic perpetrator”.
Jailing him for 18 months a judge described him as posing “a high risk of re-conviction and serious harm to known adults.”
The 28-year-old defendant, formerly of Manor Lane, Liscard, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Derek Jones, prosecuting, said the couple separated in October last year and the victim obtained a non-molestation order from Birkenhead Family Court - but there was no evidence he had been served with it before the firearms offence took place.
On October 28 he phoned her a couple of times, in one call saying she was wearing the clothes he had bought her ‘you tramp’ and in another call he threatened to vandalise a neighbour’ s car.
Mr Jones said: “Later that day she was out with a friend and the friend received a Snapchat video call from the defendant. She immediately recognised him and saw he had what appeared to be a black handgun in his hand.”
He made the threatening comments and the friend filmed the brief video which was played to the court.
He was arrested on November 4 and was violent and aggressive and had to be restrained. He was taken to hospital and when interviewed made no comment and accepted it had been him in the footage.
Mr Jones said: “He referred to a toy gun and insisted he did not intend to cause fear. His behaviour deteriorated in the interview and he made threats to the officers."
In an impact statement the victim said she was worried Creighton would turn up at her home and seriously hurt her. He had exacerbated her anxiety and depression and she was afraid to go out alone.
John Weate, defending, said that Creighton, of no fixed address, who has 48 previous convictions for 73 offences, hopes to be able to move in with an aunt in Southport.
Mr Weate said: “He is going to have to deal with relationship issues and the fact that relationships break down from time…..He acts impulsively and without thought and consequential thinking.”
Mr Weate said Creighton has paranoid schizophrenia and ADHD and was compliant in taking his medication.
Judge Gary Woodhall said he had frightened his former girlfriend with the 'gun' and left her distressed and terrified while he was at large, as he had threatened her with a 'firearm'.
He pointed out that it was Creighton’s third offence relating to a weapon.
Judge Woodhall said: “Police never located the firearm. You said ‘it’s a rep, it isn’t even a real gun’ and when told it would be in your interests to hand it over you said, ‘it’s gone’. You had disposed of it or concealed that item.”
The judge said that although he has mental health issues Creighton did not blame that for his behaviour and admitted his actions had been “impulsive and stupid.”
He imposed a 10 year restraining order to keep away from the victim.
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