Telford man, 39, left death threat for parents
A drunk man called his parents threatening to set their home on fire and kill them, a court heard.
Paul Cotton also made a similar threat to the partner of his sister after his family cut ties with him because of his drinking, magistrates in Telford were told.
Mr Mike Phillips, prosecuting, said Cotton, of Winifred's Drive, Donnington, Telford, had "a long history of alcohol abuse".
On one occasion the defendant's sister's husband recognised Cotton's voice as he told him "you're going to die," the court was told.
On the same day Cotton left two messages on his parents' answer machine saying he would "set you both on fire" and "you're going to die in your house". Cotton, 39, admitted three charges of sending threatening messages and driving with excess alcohol at a previous hearing on August 14.
Mr Phillips said he had been stopped by police on July 27 for driving at excessive speeds in Dudley and had failed a breath test.
Mr John McMillan, for Cotton, said the defendant was trying to get attention.
Cotton was given a community order for 12 months with a six-month alcohol treatment programme and 30 days of rehabilitation activities. He was given an indefinite restraining order not to contact victims or go to their homes and ordered to pay various court costs totalling £560.
He was also banned from driving for 14 months for drink driving.
