Jail for man who went on rampage outside ex-lover’s home
A man who refused to accept that he had been jilted was starting an 11-month jail sentence today.
Michael Cobb went on the rampage outside the Meadow Walk, Cradley Heath home of his former girlfriend after she ended their brief relationship.
The 25-year-old woke the young woman by shouting from at her from the back garden – also disturbing the neighbours – shortly before midnight on January 29, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
He also broke a window at the property, slashed two tyres on her parked car and smashed a bottle on the vehicle’s bonnet, explained Mr Paul Spratt, prosecuting.
Police were called and found him hiding behind a shed in the garden, clutching a knife with an eight-inch blade and threatening to kill himself.
“He was either unable or unwilling to accept the relationship had ended, “ concluded Mr Spratt.
This was accepted by Mr Andrew Mitchinson, defending.
Cobb, of no fixed address, who had 29 previous convictions involving 51 separate offences, admitted criminal damage and possession of a knife.
He was sent to prison by Judge James Burbidge QC who told him: “The community in the Black Country are very disturbed by the use of knives.
“I do not say this is any more prevalent than anywhere else but people are understandably concerned about people taking knives onto the streets.
"You were in possession of one with an eight inch-long blade.”
The judge continued: "You have a considerable number of personal problems, one of which is that you are not able to cope with the ending of a relationship.
"Your former girlfriend had gone to bed when you started menacing her and making a nuisance of yourself.
"You disturbed the neighbourhood, caused damage to her car and broke a window."
The defendant was banned from having any contact with his former girlfriend for five years.
