A 22-YEAR-old man who admitted sending threatening messages and trying to blackmail his ex-partner's family over a "modest" debt has been sentenced.

Lakhan Singh, who appeared at Bradford Crown Court via videolink from Leeds Prison, received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The court heard how Singh had been living with his girlfriend and her family, in Halifax last year.

After they split and he moved out, he went on to make numerous threats over the phone of "extreme violence and criminal damage" towards his ex's mother.

He also sent threatening voice notes to his ex's brother.

The judge said the "wholly inappropriate threats" ended up being empty threats and he accepted Singh has no intention of carrying them out.

Singh pleaded guilty to carrying out malicious communication and blackmail between October 15 and November 3 last year.

In mitigation, the court heard he had grown exasperated as he needed the money back in order to pay for a bond on new accommodation for himself.

In sentencing, Singh, whose last address was a hotel in Huddersfield, was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He must complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and a drug rehabilitation requirement for six months.

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