Jail for city man who made threats to kill four-year-old

Jack Morris, 28, was recorded by the mother making "demonic" threats to kill her young child. From his twisted perspective, this was so they could have their own children and be happy together. 

Norwich Crown Court heard Morris had threatened to pour petrol on the young girl and set her on fire. He also voiced threats to beat her, rape her, and murder her in the most terrorising way.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Morris also kicked his ex-partner's cat, before it later died in a play tunnel behind the sofa at her home in Drayton, with blood in its mouth.

Danielle O’Donovan, prosecuting, said Morris was the sole and primary carer for his then partner's child who he made a "campaign of threats" against.

She said the victim's mother secretly recorded Morris on her phone making a number of threats against the girl, in which Morris was heard to say he "fantasised about killing" her.

He said he just "wanted to hurt her" and that he "hoped she would die in the most painful way".

Morris claimed the child took attention away from him and told his former partner "I want her to die so we can be together".

He said: "I would like to pour petrol on her and set her on fire and record her crying as she burns to death."

He went onto say he would like to "rape her" and "murder her" in the most terrorising way, stating he would "beat her to death really badly".

He said: "I wish I could punch her in the face so many times that she dies."

Morris was also recorded telling his partner the child "shouldn't be here" and "shouldn't exist".

He said she "wasn't real because she's not mine" and "doesn't matter" and that they should have "their own kids".

He said he wanted to "kill her so we could be happy".

Morris, of Tracey Road, Thorpe St Andrew, appeared at court on Wednesday (November 27) for sentence after he admitted making threats to kill on February 19 this year.

Jack Morris (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) He had also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on February 6 this year.

Jailing Morris for a total of 41 months, Judge Alice Robinson said the these were "deeply disturbing" and "extreme, sadistic threats to the life of her child" which left the victim "absolutely terrified".

Judge Alice Robinson (Image: Newsquest) Judge Robinson described Morris as a "self-centred, compulsive liar and fantasist" who made "chilling" and "calculated" threats "intended to cause maximum distress".

Before Morris was sentenced, the court heard a victim impact statement from the victim who said Morris had "ruined my life" and left her daughter "terrified".

She pleaded with the courts to "please ensure my daughter's safety".

Andrew Oliver, mitigating, acknowledged the threats were "appalling" and that Morris had said some "really hurtful and unpleasant things" which he now bitterly regrets.

But he said Morris, a recovering alcoholic, had been increasingly looking after his partner's daughter which led to him feeling stressed and under pressure.

Mr Oliver said Morris, who has mental health difficulties including ADHD, autism and borderline personality disorder, relapsed into drinking when the offences occurred. 

Morris was made the subject of an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.