The dad of a 15-year-old killed by teenagers sobbed in the dock as he was sentenced for abusing the boy's grieving mum.
Ian Nice, 46, blamed Laura Tansey for Reece's death and trashed her car, shouted at her in Morrisons and set an intimate photo of her as his WhatsApp profile picture. The pair were in a relationship for 18 years and had two children, including Reece.
The Bolton teenager died after being stabbed six times by 16-year-old James White in Great Lever, Bolton, on May 4, 2021. White was found guilty of murder and jailed for 15 years following a trial last autumn, while 16-year-old Mark Nuttall was sentenced to six years for manslaughter.
The fallout between the parents started just weeks after the trial of their son’s murder ended on January 10, 2022 when they bumped into each other in Bolton Morrisons. Nice shouted abuse at her in the supermarket, calling her “a rat and a slag and that she murdered their son”, Ms Ellen Shaw said prosecuting.
“The next day he sent her a number of messages over various accounts on social media. When he was blocked he would move to another platform.”
Ms Shaw went on to say that later that day Nice, of Kearsley, Bolton, damaged her car using what was believed to be paint stripper. Bolton Crown Court was told how on January 13, Nice changed his profile picture on Whatsapp to an intimate image of Ms Tansey sent when the pair were in a relationship.
In a personal statement, Ms Tansey said she “wanted space and for him to be out of her life”. Ms Tansey also said she was caused “alarm” and “distress” by Nice’s actions.
Mr Michael Johnson, speaking for the defence, explained that Nice had been remorseful and felt “shame” for what he had done. He went on to tell the court how emotions were high as it happened shortly after the murder trial of his son.
Judge Elliot Knopf said before sentencing: “The last thing Laura Tansey needed however you may have felt at the time was to have you approach her as you did on January 10 and subject her to abusive comments.
“The last thing she needed was you to cause damage to her car. The last thing she needed was for you to disclose what was provided to you as a private image from when you were in a relationship.
“The last thing you needed was to be back before the courts facing a potential custodial sentence.” The judge sentenced Nice to a 12 month community order for criminal damage, disclosing a private sexual photograph and using threatening or abusive behaviour. He admitted the charges at an earlier court appearance.
He was ordered to undertake 20 rehabilitation days and was given an electronic curfew for five months to remain at his address between 7pm and 7am.
Visibly upset in the dock afterwards, Nice, of Holcombe Crescent, Kearsley, said to the judge: “Sorry for coming here today. I can see a different life for myself now. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.”
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