A GLOUCESTER man who threatened a woman on the day she was due to give evidence at his trial has been jailed for 12 months.

Heavily-built Stephen Lawrence, 45, of Howard Street, Tredworth, told former partner Corrina Short that “no woman takes me to court”, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Judge Michael Harington jailed him for a year and ordered that he be the subject of a five-year restraining order in respect of Ms Short.

Derek Ryder, prosecuting, said Lawrence had been in a relationship with Ms Short for a year and it finished two years ago.

On January 3 this year he had gone round to her house but she refused to let him in.

Lawrence then ripped the wire grill protecting the front window away and she called the police, the court heard.

When Lawrence was arrested and interviewed he denied knowing Ms Short.

On January 18, he pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage and a trial date was set for April 4 before magistrates, said Mr Ryder.

But on the morning of the trial, Lawrence came across Ms Short while she was walking her dog and she dashed to the nearest garden to try to get away.

As he got to her, Ms Short said: “I won't go to court today.” Lawrence later said he would come back and it would be a “lot worse”.

After he left, Ms Short's phone rang and her sister told her he had just been round to their house too, said Mr Ryder.

Lawrence was also in breach of a conditional discharge, which he admitted.

Graham Wallace, defending, said his client, a father-of-three, was anxious that whatever sentence he received, he could use it to reform.

Mr Wallace said given Lawrence's height and build there was sometimes a “pre-conception” that he is violent and aggressive and his client wanted to reduce these ideas in people.

Judge Harington sent Lawrence to prison for a total of 12 months less 75 days he has already served.

For criminal damage, the sentence was two months and for witness intimidation he received 10 months consecutive.

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