A MAN who threatened to throw acid in his estranged wife’s face and slit her throat has been handed a two year jail sentence.

Robert Jackson’s guilty plea to a charge of making threats to kill meant he breached a suspended prison sentence he was given in April last year for intimidating a witness.

The 45-year-old, of Grainger Street, Darlington, was arrested by police after bombarding his wife of 14 years with unwanted text messages and phone calls.

The victim reported the matter to police and Jackson was arrested, but on his release a day later Jackson rang saying he was going to kill her.

As well as the acid and knife threat, Jackson exclaimed: “You have really done it this time you grass.”

He initially denied being behind the threats, stating he was with his new girlfriend on the afternoon they were made.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the victim had separated from Jackson in 2005 and while they kept up relations, they stopped speaking to each other in December last year.

In a statement the woman said Jackson’s behaviour had caused her severe anxiety and stress. She said he had lost her self-esteem and was constantly in fear of him.

Jackson has previous convictions for violence and harassment and was said to have headbutted his ex and shouted abuse at her in the street.

Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, said Jackson, who pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, was drunk when he made the threats. He said: “He is apologetic and accepts the threats were unpleasant.”

Judge Peter Armstrong said Jackson didn’t seem to accept the relationship was over and he should leave the victim alone.

He said: “Anybody making threats like this can expect immediate custody.”

The judge activated a 12-month suspended sentence on Jackson and added a further year, making two years in total.

He also agreed to a five-year restraining order meaning Jackson cannot contact the complainant directly or indirectly except through a solicitor for the purposes of arranging child contact.