Spurned Newbury man Sebastian Springett made death threats and forced his way into ex-partner’s home

A JILTED lover threatened to kill his partner and slit her ex-husband’s throat.

The 30-year-old then broke into his terrified victim’s Newbury home while her children were inside, Reading magistrates heard on Thursday, December 14.

As Sebastian Springett’s relationship with Hayley Terry deteriorated, he spiralled out of control, said Hazrat Ali, prosecuting.

The 30-year-old, of Riverdale Court, off London Road in Newbury, first threatened to kill her on Friday, March 31.

Ms Ali said: “He said he would kill her and cut Herbie’s throat – that was her ex-husband’s nickname – if she ‘cheated on him’.

“This caused her myalgia to flare up.”

But there was more terror in store, the court heard.

When Ms Terry sent him a photo of her hand with her engagement ring removed, he went to her home in Priory Road.

Ms Ali said: “He went to the bedroom window at the back, reached into the window and started to take objects from the window sill and throw them.”

Mr Springett climbed in and took a remote control, the court heard.

Later, as Ms Terry cowered inside, Mr Springett began kicking the back door and she used her weight to try to keep it closed, said Ms Ali.

Mr Springett admitted threatening to kill Ms Terry, intending her to fear he would carry out the threat.

He further admitted using violence for the purpose of securing entry into a specified address in Priory Road, knowing that there was someone present on those premises who was opposed to the said entry, on Sunday, June 11.

Mandy Hargun, defending, said her client was suffering from “major health difficulties”.

Before she could proceed further with mitigation, district judge Samuel Goozee told her he intended to adjourn the matter for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

“There are no relevant previous convictions that I can see,” he added. “As far as the threats to kill is concerned, the starting point is a custodial sentence due to the very specific nature of the threats to her ex-husband.

“This is obviously aggravated by the offence of using violence to secure entry into the property.”

However, added Judge Goozee: “I take regard of the fact there are no previous convictions and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“I will keep the case here [at the magistrates’ court] but I reserve the option to send it to the crown court for sentencing, depending on the pre-sentence report.”

Judge Goozee adjourned sentencing until January 25 next year.

He meanwhile released Mr Springett on bail on condition he co-operates with the probation service.

Judge Goozee warned Mr Springett: “If you don’t co-operate with the production of the pre-sentence report you can be sentenced without the benefit of one on the next occasion.”