Man jailed for smashing ex's home before her death

A man who made multiple threats to kill his ex-partner and smashed up her home before she died has been jailed for three months.

Jonjo Noble, 41, bombarded Laura Robson with threatening calls and then smashed windows and items at her home in Ryton, Gateshead, with a hammer in March 2024, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Before her subsequent death, which was unrelated to Noble, Ms Robson said she lived in fear of him and he had left her with nothing.

Noble admitted causing a person fear of violence and criminal damage.

The court heard the couple had been in an on-off relationship for four years but in March Ms Robson was warned by social services not to let Noble attend her home.

He reluctantly agreed but deluged her with angry calls on 2 March after she left some of his clothes in a shed, the court heard.

Noble called her at least 20 times and left 16 voicemails in which he threatened to cut her head off and kill her, the court heard.

The following day, when Ms Robson was staying with a friend, Noble smashed his way into her home and destroyed multiple items including a washing machine, oven, two TVs and mirrors.

In a statement read to the court, Ms Robson said: "I feel I have nothing."

Recorder Nathan Moxon said it was clear that before Ms Robson "sadly passed away" she had been living in fear and anxiety of Noble.

But the judge said it was also right to note it was a "fractious" relationship and Ms Robson had arranged to see Noble while he was being held on remand in prison for the offences against her.

The judge said Noble spent seven months on remand so, despite being jailed, he would be released immediately but would be under licence conditions designed to "rehabilitate [Noble] and protect the public".

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