A jobless man who threatened to have his ex-wife knee-capped and her new husband shot has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew Gamble, 46, split from Amanda when he drunkenly assaulted her after a stormy eight-year marriage.

But Canterbury Magistrates’ Court heard that when she became involved with another man, Gamble made a terrifying phone call to her.

Prosecutor Julie Farbrace said that on December 3 he phoned his ex-wife, who had by then married a man called Richard Ford and now lives in Hoath.

“He was fine at first, but then became very aggressive and was shouting and swearing and was making threats towards her and her husband,” Ms Farbrace said.

"He was fine at first, but then became very aggressive and was shouting and swearing and was making threats towards her and her husband..." - prosecutor Julie Farbrace

Gamble, who lives in Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, told her: “It’s in place. It’s all arranged. Someone will be around on Christmas Day to shoot Richard and kneecap you. If it does not get done then, it will be soon.”

Ms Farbrace added: “The threats terrified her. Mrs Ford feared for herself and her partner’s safety.”

The court heard that Mrs Ford’s marriage to Gamble had been volatile. Ms Farbrace said that in February of last year it effectively came to an end when Gamble assaulted her.

At the time he had been drinking 10 to 12 cans of lager a day.

She came home from work to find her then husband was drunk and they had an argument about money and what to have for dinner that evening.

Ms Farbrace said: “He became angry, grabbing both her arms and pushing her against a fridge. She threw a banana at him and he pushed her again.

“He then pulled her to the floor and punched her to the side of her face.”

Gamble was arrested and later convicted of battery. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge with a restraining order not to contact his ex-wife.

At a previous court in December, he admitted breaching that order and the conditional discharge, and sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message.

When he appeared for sentence this week, Gamble was handed a 70-day prison sentence suspended for two years.

He was also banned from any contact with Mr or Mrs Ford for five years and must pay £400 costs and an £80 surcharge.

Mr and Mrs Ford attended the hearing in Canterbury but declined to comment afterwards.

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