'I'm going to smash his face in' - Man threatened friends with sledgehammer and beat partner at Butlin's

Joseph Pearson, 29, found himself in hot water with police following the two separate incidents which happened in West Sussex. Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that the shop fitter had been out for a drink on March 3 with his friend to whom he showed his watch that was of “sentimental value”.

The watch was allegedly not returned. Mr Timothy Ashmole,prosecuting, said: “The defendant lost his temper. He decided to send a text to another member of the family that stated ‘I’m going to smash his face in’.

He went to the family’s property and had in his possession a sledgehammer which he used to threaten his friend. He called out and swung the sledgehammer which broke a piece of crockery. He was also heard to say ‘I’m going to kill him, he has my watch’.

“The police were called. He had known the family for 15 years.” Pearson admitted offences of affray, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and failure to attend probation at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to six months prison suspended for 12 months with a requirement to attend rehabilitation days with probation relating to that matter.

Mr Ashmole said Pearson was arrested at Butlins in Bognor Regis, on May 30 after he assaulted his partner at about 1.30am. She said he kicked her in the stomach, punched her in the face, threw her to the floor and pulled her hair.

He knelt on her chest. She couldn’t breathe and nearly blacked out. Mr Philip Beardwell, defending, said: “The watch was one of huge sentimental value to him as it was given to him by a relative. When it was taken it led to a massive loss of temper.

He understands that he needs help with anger management.”

He added that in the second incident Pearson, of Bishopdale, Brookside, accepted that his reaction went beyond acceptable behaviour.

He said the pair wanted to continue their relationship and that his partner wanted to help him.