Shane Hubbard, 28, sent alarming threats to his former partner through messages, but has received a suspended sentence.
Shane Hubbard, a 28-year-old scaffolder from Sittingbourne, has been sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for making threats against his ex-partner, who is also the mother of his two children. Although Hubbard pleaded guilty to three counts of sending communications threatening death or serious harm, he has avoided a custodial sentence. The court proceedings occurred on March 11, 2024.
The abuse was reportedly revealed through a series of alarming messages sent via Facebook Messenger to another woman. These messages, which were not sent directly to his former partner, contained explicit threats, including assertions that he would “torch” and “kill” her. One message read: “I swear I will kill them” and another stated: “When I am off this tag I will torch the lot of them,” highlighting the severity of his threats. Prosecutor Elisenda Mitchell noted that these communications were alarming enough to prompt the recipient to inform Hubbard’s ex-partner for her safety.
In addition to the current charges, the court was made aware of Hubbard’s extensive criminal history, which includes nine previous convictions for 17 offences. His ex-partner provided a witness statement expressing that the messages left her feeling “scared” and compelled her to comply with his demands to protect herself and her family. Judge Philip Statman acknowledged during the proceedings that the threats posed by Hubbard were particularly grave for any woman, creating a dangerous context for the victim.
Hubbard’s legal representative, Sam Glanville, described the messages as “deeply abhorrent,” but pointed out that since they were not directed to the ex-partner, Hubbard did not breach his bail conditions. Mr Glanville mentioned that Hubbard, who now resides in Cambridgeshire, is focused on his life with a new partner and work, and referenced a psychological report indicating that his ADHD conditions may have influenced his decision-making abilities.
At the time of sentencing, Judge Statman took into account Hubbard’s mental health issues, ultimately deciding on a 20-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years due to mitigating factors. The judge ordered Hubbard to complete 40 hours of rehabilitation activities and 80 hours of community service as part of his sentence. Additionally, a five-year restraining order was imposed, preventing Hubbard from contacting his ex-partner.
Judge Statman cautioned Hubbard that any further offenses during the suspension would result in immediate incarceration, indicating the seriousness of his actions and their ongoing implications for his ex-partner. The court scheduling also noted that Hubbard is set to face another trial on March 16, 2026, addressing further allegations against him.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/crime/scaffolder-avoids-jail-for-death-threats-291444/ – This URL could potentially corroborate the details of the court proceedings and sentencing of Shane Hubbard at Maidstone Crown Court, although it is not directly available in the search results.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent- – This URL could provide general information about court cases in Kent, potentially including details about Hubbard’s case, but specific details are not available in the search results.
- https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/magistrates-courts – This URL provides general information about the UK court system, which could support the context of Hubbard’s court proceedings.
- https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/threats-to-kill – This URL offers information on the legal aspects of threats to kill, which is relevant to Hubbard’s charges.
- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/adhd/ – This URL provides information on ADHD, which is mentioned as a factor in Hubbard’s case, potentially influencing his decision-making abilities.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is relatively recent, referencing court proceedings from March 11, 2024. However, it does not appear to be a press release, which typically would warrant a high freshness rating.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes are present but lack specific online references to verify their original source. The quotes seem to be from court proceedings, which are often not publicly available online.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication. However, the reliability can vary depending on the specific topic and reporting style.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the context of a court case and the details provided about the defendant’s history and the judge’s decision. The narrative aligns with typical legal proceedings.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and plausible, with a reliable source. While the quotes lack specific online verification, they are consistent with the context of a court case. Overall, the information seems accurate and well-supported.
