'I’ll get 10 years in prison, I’m still going to hound you': Boxer's chilling threat against ex

In one chilling call, Darren Willans, 33, warned, “Get the kids out of the house, I’m going to drive the car through the front door”.

And just two days later, on Monday, January 25, he threatened, “I’ll get 10 years in prison, I’m still going to hound you”, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Willans’ four-day harassment campaign in Stockton led to him being jailed for 12 weeks after he admitted harassment without violence and breaching a non-molestation order.

But District Judge Paul Currer, who described Willans’ behaviour towards the woman as “disgraceful”, suspended the sentence for two years.

The court heard that Willans’ offending affected his victim’s and her family’s health and he has now been given a restraining order to stay away from them.

After outlining the threats, prosecutor John Graham read a statement from the victim in which she said Willans had inflicted “immeasurable” emotional pain.

Her statement added: “He has tried his hardest to destroy me, personally and professionally. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same person again.

“If it wasn’t for having such a strong and supportive family, I’m not sure I’d have got through this.

“I live in fear of reprisals. He was playing a twisted game.”

Mr Graham told the court: “Her mental health has suffered and she is awaiting therapy.

“She says it has caused her mum to lose a stone-and-a-half in weight, and her father has spent time securing her property, including CCTV.”

The court heard Willans, of Woods Terrace, Murton, threatened another woman, with whom he has children, at shops in Stockton on June 8, 2019.

In doing so, he breached a court-imposed non-molestation order, which prevents him contacting her.

He instilled such fear that she and a friend sought refuge in a store – but Willans followed them and continued his verbal abuse.

Of the harassment victim, Chris Marley, defending, said: “He accepts that the comments were made.

“What was said was said, and it shouldn’t have been said, he acknowledges that.

“I listened with bemusement to the victim’s personal statement that was read out.

“Mr Willans has been pestered almost continuously by her since after being released from prison after being remanded over this.

“It has to be seen against a background of her contacting him.”

Of the June 2019 incident, he added: “Whilst he disputes some of what was said, he admits there was a chance meeting. There was an argument.”

District Judge Currer jailed Willans for 12 weeks for harassment and eight weeks for breaching the order, both suspended for two years and to run concurrently.

He handed Willans a two-year restraining order not to contact the harassment victim or her family, and not to enter Junction Road, Norton, Teesside.

The court also ordered that Willans must also undertake 35 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and pay a £128 victim surcharge and £200 court costs.

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