A Ryde man who sent more than 100 "cruel, disgraceful" and threatening messages to his wife after she left him, and then offered her £5,000 to drop the charges, has been jailed.

David Lee, of Salters Road, was sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Wednesday, October 18.

The 57-year-old was charged with racially aggravated harassment and sending malicious communications, intimidating a witness and perverting the course of justice.

Lee initially denied some of the charges but eventually pleaded guilty to all counts on September 11, 2023.

The court heard how Lee displayed "aggressive and violent behaviour" in the final three years of his marriage, Simon Foster, prosecuting, said. 

In December 2020, his wife left him and moved off the Island.

Around five months later, Lee "bombarded" his ex-partner with more than 100 messages — some of which were threatening and contained derogatory racial slurs.

Mr Foster said although she is white British, she had a previous relationship and children with a Pakistani man.

Lee's jealously escalated to threatening, the court heard, with one message saying "I'm a killer and you're next".

A victim impact statement read to the court said the victim was concerned for her and her children's safety, and Lee's harassment impacted her mentally and physically.

She had to move house on more than one occasion. 

Lee appeared in court in October 2021 and was released on bail. But the next day he uploaded a threatening video to TikTok, aimed at his ex.

In footage shown to the court, Lee could be heard saying "a bloke from Peckham told me he knows where she lives" and the man was going to go round there, knock her out and "cut her up".

He was arrested again.

In July 2023, the victim received a personal message on TikTok from Lee saying he would give her £5,000 and "we will call it quits".

Defending, David Kemeny said alcohol was a significant motivating factor. He said Lee has sobered up in custody but a further prison sentence would not help with his impulse control and alcohol rehabilitation.

Appearing as a character witness, Lee's mum said her son "may have done some things not quite right but he is a good man".

Judge David Melville said Lee's messages were "cruel, rude and disgraceful".

With 28 previous convictions for 55 offences, Lee was sentenced to 28 months in prison.

NOTE: The County Press applied for a custody photo but the police were unable to provide one on this occasion