A Bedford man has been sent to prison for two years and four months after violently attacking his ex-partner and her friend and making threats to kill.
James Foster, 28, of High Street, Bedford, was sentenced on 1 March at Luton Crown Court after being found guilty of making threats to kill, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage.
On 21 December, James Foster went into the back garden of a house in Butely Road, Luton, and saw his ex-partner with a man. Foster became angry, and threatened to stab the woman’s friend, so they went into the house but Foster barged his way in after them.
He attacked and tried to strangle the woman but she fought him off. He then pushed the man against a wall and threatened him with knives.
During the incident Foster also stamped on the woman’s tablet computer, threw a Christmas tree across the room, stabbed a fridge with a knife and punched through a glass door panel.
He left taking clothing and a bottle of vodka but was arrested after the couple called the police.
Foster denied the charges but was found guilty and sentenced to two years and four months each for the two counts of threats to kill, to run concurrently.
He was also sentenced to eight weeks for both assaults, to run concurrently. There was no separate penalty for criminal damage.
Detective Constable Mirian Khajavelidze, of Bedfordshire Police’s Emerald team, said: “We are fortunate that both victims were not badly injured, but Foster’s enraged actions terrified them, putting them in genuine fear for their lives.
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice.
“We are also dedicated to supporting victims of violence and encouraging them to speak out, so that we can provide help, investigate and bring offenders like Foster to justice.”
The Signpost Hub offers free and confidential support to victims in Bedfordshire, whether it has been reported to police or not and irrespective of where and when the crime occurred.
Contact 0800 0282887 or visit www.signpostforbedfordshire.com for further information.
If you are concerned about someone or are being subjected to violence yourself, you can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If a crime is in progress, or in if someone is in danger, always call 999.
