John Toms: Mildura man sentenced over threats to kill

A magistrate said a Mildura father had “suffered” the pain of his daughter, allegedly abused by her ex, but it did not justify his rage.

A protective Mildura dad has been fined after he threatened to kill his daughter’s ex after he allegedly emotionally and physically abused her, a court has heard.

John Toms, 59, was sentenced to a 12 month good behaviour bond, and fined $800 without conviction in the Mildura Magistrates court on Tuesday.

The court heard Toms, who pleaded guilty to one charge of making a threat to kill, was described by his lawyer as an “ideal citizen” who had “acted very rashley”.

In December last year Toms drove to an address where he believed the victim lived.

When he arrived the victim was not there but Toms abused those there.

“You tell that c*** he’s fuc*ing dead,” Toms said.

“He’s messed with the wrong psycho.”

The court heard Toms was enraged after finding out his daughter’s ex-partner was taking out a restraining order against him.

This meant Toms couldn’t watch his grandchildren play sport because the ex worked at the sports stadium they played at.

Magistrate Lance Martin said he understood that a “father suffers the pain of his children” but that it didn’t “justify or excuse the behaviour”.

“Threats to kill carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. That gives you an idea about how serious this is,” he said.

The court heard Toms demonstrated remorse over the incident and ordered him to pay an $800 fine.

A conviction was recorded.