A MAN threatened to burn his sister’s house down and “shoot her” over a cash row, a court heard.
Christopher Bowe, 34, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning (Wednesday, August 7) after threatening his sister, Ruby Bowe, and her ex-partner during a dispute over money.
Oliver Saddington, prosecuting, said Bowe had an argument with his sister over money she had been given to look after.
The court heard how in February of this year Ms Bowe, who was living in Bidston with her partner at the time, called police to report a burglary.
In a police statement, she told officers that the cash, which was in her wardrobe, belonged to Bowe.
Mr Saddington added that Bowe blamed his sister for the cash being taken and began harassing her.
He told the court: “At around 11pm on February 21, Ms Bowe received a voicemail from her mum crying and she could hear the defendant angry in the background threatening she would be 'in bits' if she did not come home.
“He then sent her a text message saying, ‘you’re messing aren’t you? Watch when I see you with your kid.”
He also threatened to set fire to her home and proceeded to send her messages on Whatsapp calling her a “dirty little coke slag”, telling her to “watch out” and that she wouldn’t be at her mother’s funeral before calling her a “dirty slut”.
The defendant also threatened to “shoot her” and told her “if his mate saw her, he would”.
Mr Saddington said: “She knew the friend to be violent and received more threatening missed calls and messages.”
On February 29, Ms Bowe collected her seven-year-old daughter from school in Moreton and recognised a car that she believed to be the defendant's partner at the time.
Mr Saddington said: “As she drove down Manor Drive she noticed the same car following her and realised the defendant was in the passenger seat.
“She was terrified and made her way onto the M53.”
On March 3, Bowe was arrested in Cheshire and taken to the police station where he asked for his cell lights to be turned off but when officers explained they could not he became abusive and started using racist language towards two female officers shouting “black monkey”, “dirty n****” and “ginger dyke”. He then spat water out of his cell.
Bowe, pleaded guilty to charges of harassment and using threatening behaviour as well as using racially aggravated threats.
A victim impact statement read out to the court on behalf of Ms Bowe heard how the psychological impact of her brother's crimes had “turned her life upside down”.
Reading the statement to the court, Mr Saddington said: “Ms Bowe said she feels very vulnerable and still receives phone calls from no caller IDs.
“She fears she and her daughter are going to be seriously hurt and she is constantly looking over her shoulder panicked.
“She says the defendant has destroyed her and her family's life and she’s not been able to return to work.”
Daniel Traver, defending, said: “Mr Bowe is ashamed of his actions which have been absolutely unacceptable. He wishes to apologise to the court.
“This was an extreme set of circumstances where he made verbal threats to his own family. His brother's money had been transferred into a bank account with some withdrawn and some missing.
“He also thought Ms Bowe’s partner at the time was negative.
“He served in the armed forces and is desperately anxious to make amends.
“He has stable accommodation which he has lived in for four and a half years in Stoke which he will lose if he remains in custody.
“He lives near to his mother who he supports. Stoke is a long way away from Ms Bowe.
“He has had support from the veteran's group while in custody and has become an equality representative in prison.
“He is addressing his behaviour and he has taken steps.
“There is good and bad seen in Mr Bowe. He was described by probation officer as polite calm and co-operative.”
Sentencing, Judge David Potter, said: “You held a substantial grudge over £12,000 cash which disappeared.
“There was an allegation of burglary as you believed money had been appropriated.
“You began a campaign of verbal harassment, threats of violence, and damage to property.
“You contacted the primary school of Ms Bowe’s daughter making allegations of drug use and followed her in your car.
“All of this behaviour had a profound effect on her.
“These threats have left the family distressed and feelings of being constantly followed.
“Once you were detained you subject officers to a vile series of abusive words and behaviours which were racially aggravated.
“The court is aware of your mental health difficulties due to your time in service.
“You have shown genuine remorse during being remanded for six months you have used that time constructively I note you have secure accommodation away from Merseyside.”
Bowe, of Meir View, Stoke on Trent, was handed a 24-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
He was ordered to complete rehabilitation courses and unpaid work as well as being made the subject of a seven-year restraining order not to contact his sister.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel