Woman feared ex would kill her and new partner

A man who threatened his ex-partner and her new boyfriend with a knife has been given a suspended prison term.

Francesco Mango, 67, followed the couple to their home in Cramlington, Northumberland, and pulled a knife on them while shouting he would "kill" them, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The woman said she "honestly thought" her "time was up".

Mango, who spoke in court through an Italian translator, was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years, after admitting affray and possessing a knife.

There had been multiple arguments between Mango and the woman before "things came to a boil" on the morning of 24 June, prosecutor Omar Ahmad said.

The couple noticed Mango's van following them as they drove home, the court heard.

An argument erupted and Mango got out of his van wielding the knife at the couple as they retreated to the house, the court heard.

He was shouting he would kill the woman's new partner, with the man picking up a piece of wood to defend himself, Mr Ahmad said.

Mango left but was arrested several hours later, telling police he had "lost control" that morning.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said she was "very scared and frightened", adding: "I honestly thought my time was up and he was going to kill me."

The court heard Mango, of Wreay Walk in Blyth, had convictions dating back to 1988, including battery and making threats to kill against the woman in February 2021.

In mitigation Katie Spence said the relationship had lasted decades and Mango accepted he "struggled" when it ended, but he now accepted it was over.

A restraining order was also made, banning Mango from contacting either of the victims.

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