An ‘obsessed’ former rugby player started to love bomb his ex-girlfriend with flowers and a love letter – after turning up at her home with petrol can and threatening to burn down her home.
Thomas Bennett, 35, left his ex-girlfriend terrified when she saw him suddenly go to the back of a vehicle and take out a petrol can during a “horrific” incident. He had earlier sent her abusive messages full of nasty insults, Hull Crown Court heard.
Bennett, of Moorfield Road, Bridlington, admitted harassment by breaching a restraining order by contacting the woman on April 17. Maya Hanson, prosecuting, said that Bennett had been given a 14-month suspended prison sentence and a five-year restraining order on January 22, 2024 for offences of threatening to damage property and harassment.
He breached the order by asking a family member to hand over a letter and a bunch of flowers to his ex-girlfriend. The woman was told that they were from Bennett. The court heard she accepted them because she did not know what to do, reports Hull Live.
In the letter, Bennett said that he was sorry and that he would always love her. He apologised for his behaviour and he said that she was the person that he wanted to be with again.
During police interview, Bennett admitted breaching the restraining order. He had convictions for three previous offences, including drink-driving. The woman later said: “No one has the right to keep harassing me and keep sending me messages. I feel that his behaviour might escalate once again and the whole situation from before might reoccur.”
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Bennett sent the letter and the flowers as part of a “flawed attempt” to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend. “That letter was a last-ditch attempt, which he has not done since,” said Miss Thompson. “Since the breach, he has not committed any further offences. He accepts that it was a wrong attempt. He was in a very low place. He made full admissions.”
Bennett had previously been a builder but he lost that career after an incident in which he suffered serious burns and spent time in Pinderfields Hospital burns unit, Wakefield. He had been a rugby player for 18 years before that.
Judge John Thackray KC said that no violence or threats were used during the breach of the restraining order, which made it “quite distinct” from other such cases. “You need to move on and allow your victim to move on,” said Judge Thackray.
Bennett was given a four-month suspended prison sentence and 20 days’ rehabilitation. “Consider yourself very fortunate,” said Judge Thackray. “People who breach orders in these circumstances sometimes go to prison. Make sure you don’t breach it or it will almost certainly be custody next time.”
The original hearing, when the earlier 14-month suspended sentence was imposed, heard that the couple had been in a relationship for about seven years but separated in January 2023.
Harry Bradford, prosecuting that day, said that Bennett sent abusive messages to the Bridlington woman on November 5, 2023 including: “Do you want your house/car burning down? You have two minutes.” A minute later, he sent another saying: “I am on the driveway. Tell me now.”
Bennett was seen on CCTV taking a petrol can out of a vehicle. Judge Kate Rayfield told the original hearing: “It was a horrific set of circumstances. I simply can’t imagine what he was thinking.” She told Bennett that day: “I can’t imagine how frightening it must have been to watch you go to the back of your car and get a petrol can out.”
Thomas Bennett pictured at Hull Crown Court
(Image: Hull Live)