'Abusive' dad threatened to burn down house with his 10-month-old baby inside

An 'abusive' dad threatened to burn down his ex-girlfriend's house while his 10-month-old baby was inside, a court heard.

Francis Casey said he'd 'smack in' the heads of his ex-partner and baby daughter in a series of vile voicemails, the Liverpool Echo reports.

The 30-year-old repeatedly turned up to his victim's home and workplace and demanded money, leaving her fearing for her life.

Casey, of no fixed address, blamed his behaviour on a three-month drink and drugs bender.

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But a judge said he was trying to 'minimise' what he had done to his victim, who was left 'petrified' and 'feeling physically sick'.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Casey and the woman split up in November last year.

Manchester's courts are some of the busiest in the country with a vast array of cases heard every week.

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Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said she described how the last few months of their relationship 'became physically abusive'.

He said: "She refers to the defendant having grabbed her face in an argument to stop her from speaking."

The court heard from November onwards, Casey repeatedly turned up at her home in Aigburth, banged on her front door, demanded to be let in and shouted 'slag' and 'c***' through her letterbox.

She felt scared and harassed, and feared for her two children's safety, the youngest of whom was Casey's daughter.

However, when she called the police, he would leave before officers arrived.