An Ilkeston man who threatened to kill his ex-partner and was later caught by a police dog following a separate burglary has been jailed.
John Foster, 38, of Skeavingtons Lane, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court after admitting a string of offences including harassment and burglary.
Threats to ex-partner
The court heard Foster subjected his former partner to a barrage of abusive messages, calls and voice notes, including threats such as:
“I will kill the lot of you”
and
“I’m going to smash your face in.”
The victim was left fearing for her safety after being repeatedly contacted, including from withheld numbers.
Burglary in Eastwood
In a separate incident, Foster was involved in a burglary at a property under renovation in Bailey Grove Road, Eastwood, in the early hours of 28 January 2024.
Police were called after two men were seen coming and going from the address shortly after midnight.
A dog handler arriving at the scene spotted Foster walking away from the garage. When he failed to stop, police dog PD Max was deployed.
He was found a short distance away clambering onto a car bonnet, with the dog locked onto his foot.
A search of the scene uncovered tools lined up ready to be stolen, along with an open garage door and a discarded crowbar.
During interview, Foster claimed he had only been using a Portaloo in the garden after being “caught short”.
Police said the pair would likely have escaped with a large quantity of tools had they not been disturbed.
PC Billy Askey said Foster and his accomplice had travelled to the scene “with a clear intent to steal” and were stopped thanks to “one of our most formidable police dogs”.
Sentencing
Foster, who has 13 previous convictions for 22 offences, initially denied the burglary but later pleaded guilty.
Sentencing him, the judge said he had been given “opportunity after opportunity” but continued to offend.
He was jailed for 11 months and handed a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim.
Photo: Nottinghamshire Police