Man threatened to slit his ex-partner's throat

Judge David Cameron

A man threatened to slit his ex-partner's throat after spotting her with her new boyfriend.

Stephen James McKillop, who has children with his ex, saw her in a car with her new partner on November 29 and yelled at her, calling her a "skank".

He came up to their car, saying "who the f*** are you?" to the new partner, police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Butler told Whanganui District Court.

McKillop's child was in the back seat of the car.

As he walked away, McKillop yelled to his ex: "I'm going to get you," and "I'm going to slit your throat," Mr Butler said.

He has admitted threatening the victim but defence lawyer Stephen Ross said McKillop denied the final comment.

"The defendant acknowledges his behaviour is unacceptable," Mr Ross said. "He says he snapped when he saw rashes around his child's face in the back seat."

Judge David Cameron did not accept McKillop's denial of the final threat.

"Why on earth would she say that? It's emblazoned all over her victim impact statement . . . I just don't believe him," Judge Cameron said.

He said McKillop didn't appear to be taking responsibility for his actions.

After speaking to Mr Ross, McKillop told the judge "I said it".

"This is a rush of blood to the head Mr McKillop," Judge Cameron told him.

"I don't really think you are a dangerous person. For your efforts, you are getting 40 hours of community work."