Man jailed for texting death threats

The girl's mother wants to prevent him preying on other vulnerable girls. Photo / Thinkstock

A man has been jailed for sending more than 140 text messages to his former partner, threatening to kill her and her family if she gave evidence against him.

One of the messages included a photograph of a masked person holding a knife.

Aaron Shaun Guise, 28, of Tokoroa, appeared in Rotorua District Court this week after previously pleading guilty to one charge each of attempting to pervert the course of justice, threatening to kill, assault and threatening behaviour.

Judge Phillip Cooper sentenced Guise to two and a half years in jail.

Last December 8 Guise was to appear in court over an incident involving his former partner. Between November 15 and December 8 he sent her texts, threatening to cripple and kill her.

Judge Cooper described the text messages as a determined effort by Guise to stop his ex-partner giving evidence against him. Guise also assaulted his ex-partner.

The court was told Guise had numerous previous convictions, including 10 for misuse of a telephone, three for threatening to kill and three for criminal harassment.

In the victim impact report the complainant spoke of being extremely frightened and having to leave where she was living, Judge Cooper said.

While awaiting sentencing this week, Guise sent letters to the complainant which were intercepted by her mother.

A probation officer described Guise's offending as "obsessive, bizarre and vindictive'' and Judge Cooper said he agreed with that. "You have no insight into your offending and you are totally self-absorbed.''