A BUSINESSMAN harassed an ex-girlfriend with threatening phone calls after she began a relationship with his work partner.
Jason Rowan made phone calls and sent text messages while the woman was abroad on holiday, at one point telling her he would throw acid in her face, Derby Crown Court was told.
As a result of the threats the woman left her job, changed her phone number and moved from her flat. She said Rowan, of Rosyth Crescent, Chellaston, had destroyed her life.
Giving Rowan a three-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, Judge John Gosling said: "This was a deeply unpleasant ordeal to which you subjected this woman. The nature of the threats was vile and menacing. It frightened her, as it was intended to do. She was absolutely terrified."
Laura Pitman, prosecuting, said Rowan had been in a relationship with the woman and when it ended "she started a relationship with his business partner".
Last June, the woman was abroad on holiday with friends when she received a phone call from Rowan.
Miss Pitman said: "He was extremely angry and said 'don't come home, I know where you live. I will throw acid in your face. You know me, I'm nasty. I'll cut you from head to toe'."
The woman told police the 41-year-old repeatedly called her and the threats had become "more and more violent".
Miss Pitman said the woman changed her phone number, home and job "as a result of the abuse and threats".
But the woman told police her greatest fear was that he had told her he could pay people to hurt her or cause damage.
In court, Rowan pleaded guilty to harassment.
Harry Bowyer, in mitigation, said Rowan had been on bail for the past 10 months with a condition not to contact the woman and he had not done so.
Mr Bowyer said: "He has been running three businesses, employing about 30 people. Between June and July he behaved totally out of character."
The judge imposed a restraining order that will run until further notice prohibiting Rowan from contacting the woman.
Judge Gosling said: "If you get in contact with her, I'm in no doubt she will report it and you're looking at a sentence of up to five years."
Rowan was ordered to pay £250 court costs.
