A NEWPORT man who left voice messages with his neighbour, offering to pay him £200 if he threw acid in his ex-girlfriend's face, has been sentenced.

Lewis Craig Ross, of Atkinson Drive, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court last Monday (October 18).

At a previous hearing on September 20, the 20-year-old admitted common assault on a police officer, criminal damage and sending two grossly offensive voice notes, between January 5 and August 28.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, told the court the offences arose from a domestic incident, and the primary victim had been in an on-off relationship with Ross.

Mrs Smout said the victim had made a mistake resuming the relationship­, with Ross struggling with his mental health, causing many arguments.

The victim told Ross it was over, and he started shouting and swearing, hitting and kicking her front door.

The incident was not reported by the victim, but by a neighbour, who Mrs Smout said had received two voice messages from Ross.

Mrs Smout said the first message asked the neighbour to throw acid in the victim's face, saying he would pay him.

The second, she said, had Ross reveal he already had the acid, and if he threw it in her face, he would pay his neighbour £200.

The matter was reported to police, and in interview, Mrs Smout said Ross became very angry about the charges brought against him.

The court heard Ross started shouting and swearing at the female interviewer, and his behaviour was such that she activated the alarm, in fear that she would be assaulted.

The victim, in a statement read out in court, said she no longer felt safe in her own home and was always looking over her shoulder.

Mr Dodd, defending, said Ross had not had his medication for some time when he was at the police station, and regretted his actions.

The court heard Ross had no previous convictions, but had a number of issues and was on various medications.

Mr Dodd told the bench Ross was screaming out for help in the community, and custody would not solve his problems.

He said Ross was in the process of being signed off from work for medical reasons.

Ross was given a 12-month community order, to include 20 rehabilitation days and a restraining order.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £95 surcharge.