A 20-year-old man who threatened to slit the throats of his ex-girlfriend's family when they refused to reveal where she was staying has pleaded guilty.
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Five months before the threats, Jay Lee and his ex-girlfriend became involved in an argument and Lee smashed his neighbour's window causing glass to scatter over sleeping children.
The Delacombe man pleaded guilty to 13 charges at the online Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The court was told Lee's ex-girlfriend heard yelling and screaming outside Lee's house on April 25 and the pair went inside the house where an argument continued.
Lee returned outside with a hatchet when he damaged a boundary fence and his own car. Lee's neighbour called out her children were sleeping before she heard a window smash.
The court was told the neighbour's two children, who were sleeping near the smashed window, were covered in broken glass.
On September 2 and 5, Lee contacted his ex-girlfriend's family and friends wanting to know her location. He allegedly threatened to kill her friends and family if they did not tell him.
Lee told his ex-partner's sister he was outside her house and threatened to ram his car through, slit her and her children's throats and drag them out of the house if she did not provide the location.
He also called his ex-girlfriend's mother and said he would drive to her house and kill her and any grandchildren with her. He was arrested on September 5 and charged with making threats to kill.
Defence lawyer Scott Belcher said his client conceded it was outrageous and unacceptable behaviour. He urged the court to consider a combination sentence of prison and a community corrections order.
"His young age outs him in a different category. He has complied with a community corrections order on the last occasion. He has his mother's support," Mr Belcher said.
He understands if he returns in his old ways, he will be going back to jail.
- Defence lawyer Scott Belcher
Mr Belcher submitted Lee's mental health was not good and it had not been assisted by his drug use.
"Lee is willing to accept professional help now and has sought help in the past," he said.
Mr Belcher said Lee had part-time employment arranged upon his release, he had pleaded guilty early and had an insight into drug abuse and its dangers.
The magistrate said a combination sentence was within the range and directed Lee to be assessed for a community corrections order. He was remanded in custody to reappear next week for sentencing.
