A MAN who bombarded his ex-partner with threatening messages and abused his neighbours has been put behind bars.

Wesley Florence, of Llys Y Brenin in Holywell, appeared at Mold Crown Court via video link from HMP Berwyn on Wednesday morning.

The 34-year-old had previously admitted two counts of harassment and one of intentional strangulation.

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Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, told the court that the first victim, Billy-Jo Sieminski, was in a four year relationship with Florence.

It ended when he was made the subject of a two year restraining order for harassing her in 2020, which he abided by.

But when it ended, the victim decided to give him another chance.

Florence relapsed back into drinking and on January 5 this year he bombarded her with calls and messages.

When she finally answered and told him to stop, he said he would "smash her face in," Ms Elvin told the court.

He also said he'd go to her address and her mother's home, claiming she had shown him "disrespect."

Following his arrest and police interview, he accepted he'd started drinking again and claimed he couldn't remember making the calls or messages.

The victims of the following offences were both neighbours of the defendant.

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Kelly Bayliss started having issues with him in 2022.

In February this year she could hear him shouting and screaming in his flat, with him referring to her by name and threatening to "smash her to pieces."

In the following weeks, he subjected her to a campaign of harassment, hurling verbal abuse and branding her a "cat killer."

He also threatened her animals, telling her: "Don't worry Kelly, your cats are getting it."

On May 2, things escalated further, when the defendant asked Ms Bayliss: "You don't like me, do you?"

Another neighbour,  Andrew Qualters, put himself between her and Florence as he shouted abuse at her.

Mr Qualters then went outside and sat on a wall, when the defendant approached and put him in a headlock, squeezing his neck.

Florence asked if the victim was "enjoying it" as he struggled.

The defendant eventually released him and fortunately, the incident hadn't resulted in injury.

Ms Elvin told the court Florence had eight previous convictions for 15 offences, with a battery and harassment having been committed against Ms Sieminski.

James Coutts, defending, told the court that in terms of the messages and calls to his client's ex-partner, while they had clearly been "distressing and not attractive," they hadn't been followed up by him attending her address or her mother's home, despite what he said he intended to do.

He explained that in terms of the strangulation, the incident hadn't featured aggravating elements as were present in some cases of strangulation.

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Judge Rhys Rowlands agreed it was "not a conventional strangulation."

Mr Coutts continued: "He is a man who had a difficult upbringing.

"He has had unpleasant experiences and sought solace in alcohol.

"When he uses that as a coping mechanism, rational behaviour goes out of the window.

"He's been in custody now for a little over two months and has used that time productively - working with a substance misuse team and taking some certificates."

Judge Rowlands said the defendant's conduct towards his ex-partner, while limited to one day, had been 'persistent' and had "a profound effect on her."

The Judge handed down an overall sentence of 18 months, to be served immediately.