Trent Joiner: Sydney man sentenced for intimidating ex in Portland, NSW

A man delivered a terrifying threat to a woman while he was in her home – prompting a Sydney magistrate to slam domestic violence abusers.

Trent Joiner sentenced at Blacktown for intimidation in Portland NSWÂ

A scared woman feared her house would be burnt down after her drunken ex sent terrifying text messages threatening to “come for her”, prompting a magistrate to hand a stern warning to domestic violence abusers.

Trent Joiner, 31, pleaded guilty to contravening an apprehended violence order and intimidation, and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday.

Joiner was staying at his ex-partners home in Portland, about 150km from Sydney, when he texted the victim asking for sex, police facts revealed.

He had been drinking several drinks on March 8 and, when the woman refused his advances and instead told him he had to move out of her home, he responded with threats.

“Stop messaging me – I refuse to have any contact with you, you have a week to move out of my house,” the woman texted.

Part of the text message exchange, according to police facts.

Joiner sent a barrage of text messages in reply.

“I’ll burn the house to the ground while I’m in it – f*ck you, you’re not going to win, come at me and watch what happens,” he wrote.

Joiner then sent a series of voice messages after the victim refused to answer his calls.

“If you come after me or my girls or my mate I’ll come after you – I got plenty of vision, I won’t hold back, I’ll get you,” Joiner wrote to the victim.

Magistrate Debra Maher used Joiner’s case as an example of the domestic horrors that occur daily.

“Just this week – three women died in domestic violence – and yesterday an angry ex killed his wife,” Ms Maher said.

Initially, Ms Maher was considering a custodial penalty – but gave Joiner the chance to tell the court how he was addressing his issues.

“How can I assess your risk level, when there is hard and firm evidence in a text message that you would burn down her house, to come for her” she said.

Joiner told the court he had attended rehab, and was working on his mental health.

Ms Maher said Joiner had to consider his actions carefully, to avoid a life behind bars.

“You don’t want to spend your thirties in jail – what a waste of time,” she said.

“Most people grow a brain by 40 and decide how to act.”

Ms Maher said Joiner had to take the offence seriously and continue treatment.

“You need to leave here knowing that any further offending has you on the cusp of full time jail,” she said.

Joiner was sentenced to a 12-month CCO.