Bully made threats to kill himself after chasing ex armed with knife

Judge brands his actions as ‘emotional blackmail’

- Sentinel Reporter

BULLY Ethan Burton armed himself with a knife and ran after his ex-girlfriend as she tried to escape his clutches.

The 21-year-old was in an ‘abusive’ relationship with his victim before it came to an end.

The former couple then met up in September 2024 - more than a year later - as Burton had a ‘surprise gift’ for her. But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard it was a sinister photo that left her feeling ‘wounded’

Other incidents involved him dragging her down the street, checking her social media accounts, viewing her messages and deleting men. He also smashed her iPhone by throwing it at a wall, after he'd tried to hit her and missed.

On another occasion he left her fearing for her safety as he grabbed a knife and threatened to kill himself. Now Burton, of Mars Street, Smallthorne, has been spared jail having already spent 223 days on remand in custody.