Kirkby man ‘threatened to kill’ ex ‘throughout’ their relationship, court hears

Ricky Ball warned his ex that if he found another man at her home he would “kill all of them and be eating his b**** for breakfast”, when he phoned her, on March 30, Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard.

Donna Fawcett, prosecuting, said Ball “started to come around uninvited and shout at her” after they split last November, and he was reported to police.

A non-molestation order was imposed which he breached “indirectly” by asking a family member to contact his ex-partner regarding a dispute over an Xbox games console in April.

And he posted “lengthy, rhetorical questions” that “obviously related to her” on Facebook, in May.

Reading from his victim’s impact statement, Ms Fawcett said that “throughout the relationship he has made threats to kill her and she is worried something might happen.”

His victim reported suffering flashbacks and recently collapsed, adding: “In short I am quite lost. It has left me financially, emotionally and physically drained.”

“She has worked with the Independent Domestic Violence team and Women's Aid,” Ms Fawcett said.

Ball – who, court records said, is aged 27 and of Greenwood Drive, Kirkby – admitted sending a malicious communication and two breaches of a non-molestation order.

His solicitor said he has no previous convictions, was remorseful and apologised for the “inconvenience” he caused.

In a statement about the threat, he said: “I was frustrated and I said things I regret. I had reached a boiling point and it was more of a comment. I was going to do something to myself.”

Sentencing, magistrates told Ball the offences had crossed the custody threshold.

“We view these matters as extremely serious,” they said. “We think you need to view them seriously as well.”

Ball was jailed for eight weeks, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to participate in the 31-day Building Better Relationships course, as well as 10 rehabilitation days. He was also given a three-year restraining order, forbidding him from all contact with his ex-partner, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.