Suspended jail term for Thomas Pennington, who waged fear campaign against Newbury woman

A MAN has been given a suspended prison sentence for waging a domestic fear campaign.

Thomas Pennington appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 3.

The 43-year-old, of Martingale Chase, Newbury, admitted causing Toni Smith to fear that violence would be used against her at the Two Saints Hostel in Newtown Road, Newbury, between April 22 and April 25 last year, by sending multiple, menacing messages and phone calls

He also has previous convictions.

Pennington, who was legally represented by Michael Phillips, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

District judge Davinder Sandhu said a custodial sentence, albeit suspended, was justified because of his previous record and character, the nature and seriousness of the offence committed in front of a young child and because it was “domestic violence-related.”

She said the sentence was nevertheless able to be suspended because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Pennington was also ordered to pay £85 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge.

Finally, he was made subject to a restraining order to protect his victim by forbidding all contact, whether direct or indirect.

The order will last for five years.