Wednesday 4 August 2010

Volatile Couple's Internet Porn Row Leads To Death Threats


A couple’s Internet porn row ended with police rushing to their Bromley home after a 999 operator overheard the drunken man vowing to stab his girlfriend and slash her father’s throat.

Stephen Greenwood, 43, of May’s Hill Road pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to making threats to kill 34 year-old Vanessa Martin on April 19.

Prosecutor Mr. Hamish Reid told the court the couple had been together two years, but it had been a volatile relationship with Greenwood cautioned for an assault and for a row, which erupted over “candid” photos he took of his partner.

She told police Greenwood has a “ridiculous porn habit” and the pair had argued via text all day before he arrived home after a vodka binge.

As she watched television angry Grrenwood shouted: “You fucking ugly fat tart. I’m going to slit your father’s throat and if you call the police I will get you to.”

Mr. Reid explained: “She was terrified of him. She rang the police because she did not know what was going to happen.”

While on the phone Greenwood’s threats continued, with Miss Martin claiming he “was coming at her with knives” – which she later tried to retract in a withdrawal statement when the defendant was still in custody.

She also withdrew an allegation that Greenwood stabbed a door with a knife and insisted she was not frightened of him and believed he was not violent.

Following his arrest the defendant spent nearly four weeks in custody before he was bailed to and East London hostel.

“You accept you behaved in a truly disgraceful way,” Recorder Ian Bourne QC told Greenwood. “You have come very close today to losing your liberty.”

He was placed on a two-year supervision order, including an integrated domestic abuse programme and ordered to pay £200 costs.

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