23 December 2023 , 17:21
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A machete-wielding teen told his ex he'd put "a bullet through her head" before fleeing with their baby, a court heard.
Bobby Bennett subjected his ex to a terrifying series of incidents during and after their relationship. Outlining the case at Teesside Crown Court, prosecutor Shaun Dryden said the 18-year-old and the woman had been in a relationship for around two years but their courtship turned sour after the birth of their baby.
He said: "Once the baby was born the defendant's attitude seems to have changed towards her and he became argumentative and jealous. She says she wasn't allowed to see friends in case she was talking to other men. There was a point when he took her mobile phone and came into her property and smashed plates in her kitchen."
On another occasion on July 28, Mr Dryden said the defendant poured shower gel all over the woman to stop her from going out before pouring bleach over outfits in her drawer. Not long after, the relationship broke down and the victim started living at a friend's address in Middlesbrough to escape Bennett.
The Middlesbrough court heard that the teen was told earlier in the day he was to have no contact with the child and she told him to get out of the garden. (NCJ MEDIA)However, he found out where she was staying and on September 20 turned up at the home. Mr Dryden said at around 6.30pm Bennett, of no fixed address, appeared at her window and demanded to see the baby.
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The Middlesbrough court heard that the teen was told earlier in the day he was to have no contact with the child and she told him to get out of the garden. Mr Dryden said: "He came into the property and began to make threats he said ' I'll put a bullet through your head'. He picked up the baby and walked out of the property.
"As he was doing so she noted he had, what she thought was a knife in his trousers, and when he was outside holding the child he deliberately pulled his trousers so she could see the handle of the knife." The court heard he then left the property with the child as his ex called the police before returning shortly after with the baby unharmed. Bennett was arrested shortly after when officers found him hiding under a parked car in a nearby drive way.
Mr Dryden said police conducted a search of the area and found a machete - but in a police interview Bennett denied possession. Around two weeks later, while on bail, the court heard he called his former partner saying "why are you phoning the police?" and calling her a "grass".
In a victim impact statement the woman said the defendant's behaviour was "terrifying, violent and controlling". She said she feared for her and her child's safety on a daily basis and at one point was living in a women's refuge to escape the teen. Bennett - who has no previous convictions - pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour, perverting the course of justice and possession of a blade.
Tom Bennett, mitigating, asked for credit for the defendant's guilty pleas and said Bennett has had an "extremely difficult upbringing". He also said the defendant struggles with substance misuse and wants help to address his issues.
On Friday, Judge Jonathan Carroll handed the defendant an 18-month prison sentence. He was also placed under an 18-year restraining order.