A man who threatened his pregnant partner with an air rifle has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Leeds Crown Court heard today that 28-year-old Steven Ferguson had rowed with Susan Montgomery during the morning of May 10 which led to him packing his things and leaving the address in Riddings Road, Deighton.
She was 36 weeks pregnant at the time and the dispute continued via text messages, said Tom Gent prosecuting.
However, about 4pm Ferguson returned to the property and she heard him rummaging in the kitchen where he kept ammunition in a tin. The air rifle he had only recently bought was kept upstairs behind the wardrobe.
She told him not to do anything but he told her “I’m going to kill you and kill myself. I’ve had enough.”
She tried to calm him, told him to think of their unborn child. She blocked his path from going upstairs and when he went out of the premises by the rear door she locked it and the front door.
Mr Gent said Ferguson then began to kick at the door shouting to be let in. He headbutted one window causing it to crack and after putting on a balaclava began throwing bricks. He told her to ring the police because it was only going to get worse.
He then headbutted a window causing it to smash and some glass cut her hand. He tried to reach in to open the window but she had called his family and his stepfather came and took Ferguson away.
She began to clear up but about 8pm they again exchanged text messages and she said she thought she might be in labour.
They agreed to meet and did so in a nearby alleyway and he apologised and said he loved her but then changed and said he hated her and took his shoes and jacket off and threw them at her.
After a passerby intervened she returned home but he also approached the property. She shouted to a friend to lock the door but he pushed his way in and ran upstairs and retrieved the air rifle.
He went outside saying: “She may run but I’m going to kill her.” He cocked the gun towards the house and fired it but it did not have any pellets in.
When he saw a police car he ran off. An ambulance was called for his distressed partner who said she genuinely thought he was going to shoot her.
Arrested later he said he only intended to scare her and had no intention of using it. When it was fired it had no pellets in.
Andrew Dallas, representing Ferguson, said he had been bailed to a hostel in Scarborough following his “disgraceful behaviour that evening.”
Events had moved on, his partner had given birth 10 days after the incident but had attended court and indicated she wanted the relationship to continue. Ferguson was apologetic and wanted nothing more to do with air rifles.
Ferguson, of Riddings Road, Deighton admitted criminal damage and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear. He was given a two year prison sentence suspended for two years with a 30 day activity requirement and 150 hours unpaid work.
Judge Sally Cahill QC said it was an appalling incident and warned him any repetition would lead to prison.
“Your partner was then 36 weeks pregnant she should not have been put in the situation she was and deserves much more respect from you,” she said.
