Hebburn man made chilling threat to have victim ‘taken away in a car’ – after another warned his daughter would be killed

Robbie Gilmore, 25, of Oakwood, Hebburn, could have been put behind bars for issuing the terrifying warning in a phone call, a court heard.

It was made soon after he had been in the company of a pal who rang the same victim and warned he was going to kill his young daughter.

Gilmore’s solicitor claimed he was trying to mend his ways and in past times would not have issued such a hands-off warning – but would have turned up at his enemy’s door.

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He has now been handed a 24-month community order and told he must undertake a 30-session programme of rehabilitation with the Probation Service.

Prosecutor John Graham told magistrates in South Tyneside the victim knew a mutual acquaintance of Gilmour’s.

He said it was this man who had started the trouble on January 28 by issuing the chilling warning about his violent intentions towards his child.

Mr Graham said police claimed the victim could hear Gilmore in the background, though it was not alleged he had taken part in the initial threatening call.

However, Mr Graham said Gilmore soon afterwards made calls of his own to the same man.

He added: “The first man says that he will go to the man’s home and kill his daughter.

“He is clearly in the company of this defendant. This defendant’s culpability is that he says that he is going to go to have him taken away in a car.

“The crown would suggest that this is a targeted offence.”

The court heard Gilmore has 23 previous convictions from 40 offences, and was jailed in February last year for threats and abusive behaviour.

Joanne Gatens, defending, said: “There was an exchange of messages between Mr Gilmore and this other man, and he accepts that he sent this message.

“He was not part of the previous threat. I’ve seen from his record that he usually acts them out.

“This was nothing more than words, there was no substance to them. He is remorseful and he is regretful.”

Gilmore was also fined £20 and must pay a £95 victim surcharge. There were no court costs.

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