A former marine told his ex-girlfriend he would throw acid in her face, a court heard.
Matthew Geggie appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday via video link from prison. William Beardmore, prosecuting, detailed the charges related to Courtney Clarke, Geggie’s ex-girlfriend.
The pair broke up in October 2022 after around 12 months together and the 33-year-old then harassed his ex-partner over the course of five days. On October 6, Geggie threw a table and acted aggressively towards the victim, before sending a series of abusive and threatening messages. The following day, he threatened to kill her, slice her throat open, and rape her.
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The threats continued, and Geggie claimed to have a knife and said he would throw acid into Ms Clarke's face. On October 11, after his release from the police station, he went to her home and told her she should have him arrested for her own safety.
He was arrested and held in custody from this date. A victim impact statement was referenced in court by the prosecution, and detailed that the offences clearly had an impact on Ms Clarke.
A court heard that Ms Clarke felt some sense of guilt relating to Geggie, and wished for him to get help. Geggie, of Gorsehill Road, New Brighton, previously pleaded guilty to one count of causing criminal damage, one count of harassment, and one count of sending malicious communications.
Louise McCloskey, defending, said her client had previously served as a Royal Marine in the military, and as a paramedic after he left. She said: “He wants to change, he wants the help”. Ms McCloskey also detailed those who know Geggie describe him as hardworking, loyal and generous.
She mentioned that probation recommended he be put into Tom Harrison House, a specialist addiction recovery programme for UK Armed Forces veterans. Judge Denis Watson KC detailed that after the age of 18, Geggie only has one conviction for a driving offence, and has stayed mostly out of trouble in his adulthood since 2007.
He said: “Her victim impact statement makes clear the real impact your behaviour had on her. “She feels some misplaced sense of guilt, when of course this is nothing to do with her, it is all down to you.
“She has said despite the appalling impact on her, she bears you no particular ill will and wishes that you too get the help that you deserve or she thinks you deserve.” He added: “You behaved in a chilling way towards her.
“The threats were chilling, the violence was appalling”. Judge Watson said he would only be willing to suspend the custodial sentence if Geggie made assurances to the court that he would comply with all aspects of the order.
Geggie responded: “I will do anything I can, I am really sorry about everything and I am sorry to Courtney as well.” He was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years, ordered to complete the building better relationships programme and undertake 25 rehabilitation days.
A restraining order barring him from contacting the victim was also implemented indefinitely.
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