Redcar man threatened to put bullet in ex-girlfriend’s head

Connor Salmon had to wait more than three years to learn his fate after he was arrested in April 2022 after posting a Snapchat to her of himself with the firearm.

The 22-year-old was mocked by his former partner after she refused to take seriously the threat to burn down her home, Teesside Crown Court.

Saba Shan, prosecuting, said the victim was pregnant with Salmon’s child when the incidents occurred.

She said: “In January 2022, he sent a message on Instagram to her and threatened to petrol bomb her house with her family members inside because he didn’t believe she was at home.

“The defendant was clearly angry about her explanation of her whereabouts.”

Dealing with the firearms threat, the court heard how the defendant threatened to shoot her and anyone who got in his way.

She said that “he would have to get through her first” and he replied that “she would get a bullet in her head”.

The defendant then sent her a video message of him unpacking the firearm and the ammunition.

Miss Shan said the police were called, but she didn’t want to make a complaint about her ex-partner, although she did let them take a copy of the messages.

Salmon, of Yeoman Street, Redcar, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm from April 27, 2022, and threats to damage property from January 12 of the same year.

John Nixon, mitigating, said his client had only just turned 18 at the time of the offences and had been waiting nealry four years for the case to be concluded.

He said: “He recognises that his behaviour was very foolish all those years ago and recognises the impact it had on the victim.”

Judge Amanda Rippon criticised the delay in bringing the case to a conclusion and hearing the reason had nothing to do with the defendant before telling him his behaviour was a “stupid and dreadful thing to do”.

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She said: “She plainly didn’t take you seriously, so didn’t make a complaint at the time, she made fun of you and she was right not to take you seriously because you didn’t do what you threatened.

“Two months later, you bought an imitation handgun and imitation bullets and you sent a Snapchat video to her after you had threatened to shoot her and new partner.”

Salmon was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also made subject to a ten-year restraining order.