Geelong man Phillip Senate threatened to burn woman in ‘disgraceful’ messages

A Geelong man who told an ex-girlfriend he would get out of jail and “burn your house with you in it” has walked free from custody.

A Geelong man who sent threatening messages to an ex-girlfriend has narrowly avoided jail.

Phillip Senate, 37, from Corio, appeared at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to making threats to kill after his two-year relationship broke down.

Senate was taken into custody late last week after sending the text messages and emails to his former partner, including telling her she has to “watch your back” and that she was the “f**ked one”.

“You are a soulless thing and I am going to spend the rest of my life making sure you kill yourself,” Senate told the woman in an email.

Stalker in a Dark Alley

Senate also told her that if he went to jail over the offending, he would “get out and burn your house with you in it”.

His defence lawyer, Ryan Robertson, said custody on remand has had a “harrowing effect on him” and he is now remorseful.

“He’s positively disgusted by his behaviour, as well he should be,” Mr Robertson said.

Speaking to Magistrate Franz Holzer directly, Senate said he was prepared to “throw away” his phone and never speak to the victim.

“Everything I’ve done, I regret fully. I’ve never wanted to hurt her like this. It was just a cry for help,” he said.

Mr Holzer said a jail sentence was “the starting point”.

“The behaviours that have brought you before this court are vile, disgraceful and should be something you are ashamed of,” he said.

“You’ve got to do better and ensure you handle the situation better.”

Senate begged Mr Holzer not to send him to jail, telling the court he “can’t live without” a dog he left with a friend in Corio.

“I’m scared. I can’t leave my dog … I will do anything,” he said.

Mr Holzer placed Senate on a two year community corrections order but warned him there would be “no second chances”.

“You told me before you would do almost anything and you’re going to have to,” Mr Holzer said.

Originally published as Geelong man Phillip Senate threatened to burn woman in ‘disgraceful’ messages