Christopher Kolon also threatened to cut his victim’s arm off as he demanded an apology to the King
Christopher Kolon(Image: Facebook)
A man pretended to be part of the mafia while warning his stepdad that his arm would be cut off and his eye scooped out with a spoon. Christopher Kolon issued the alarming threats in a menacing letter which he posted to his mum’s new partner alongside a pair of garden shears.
It came after he seemingly developed grievances over his victim’s failure to attend a Remembrance Day service and because he had “not allowed his wife to speak”. This led to him demanding an apology to the King and that his mother be bought a new outfit and a poppy.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Thursday, that Kolon’s stepfather Bill Gaugh received a letter and a pair of pruning shears via recorded delivery post on January 28 this year. This mail “claimed to have come from the mafia” and issued a series of threats against him for “various wrongdoings”.
Matthew Dixon, prosecuting, described how this included a warning that his arm and leg would be removed using a saw for “not allowing his wife to speak” and not attending an Armistice Day commemoration. The note also went on to threaten that his eye would be removed with a spoon for “coming between a mum and her son” and included a list of demands, telling Mr Gough to “buy a new outfit” for his wife Margaret and to write a letter of apology to the King.
The complainant was also told to buy poppies for both himself and his partner and to have a cup of tea with Kolon to “put it to bed”. He was meanwhile warned that, should he fail to do so, the writer would “attend his house, put a gun in his mouth and pull the trigger”.
This led to police attending Kolon’s home on Part Street in Southport, at which time he “made full and frank admissions” to penning the letter. The 47-year-old has no previous convictions.
Desmond Lennon, defending, told the court: “He knows and understands that he is being sentenced on a very serious matter. He understands that Mr Gough would have been frightened and distressed, as would his mother, and he accepts full responsibility for his conduct.
“He had no intention of causing physical harm whatsoever, but realises that the worry caused was very serious. He is sorry and ashamed and instructs me to apologise for the harm caused.
“By way of explanation, it seems that his mental health was deteriorating last year, leading up to Christmas. He realises that he should have addressed his mental health issues. He did not do so.
“Both the psychiatric report and the pre-sentence report refer to him experiencing hallucinations. Some of the hallucinations were perhaps quite troubling in content.
“He believed there was a long standing issue in his relationship with Mr Gough and hoped, by communicating with Mr Gough, that he could resolve the problems in the relationship. He now realises, of course, given the content of the letter, that was a very misguided decision to get in touch in the way he did.
“This is his first experience of custody. He has described it as being a horrible experience, and he never wants to be in this situation again. He is trying to occupy his time in a constructive way by working in one of the workshops. He has a job as a cleaner.
“The experience of prison has meant that he is totally isolated. He has little contact with others inside the prison. He is sorry and he is ashamed. He has been advised as to what resources would be available to him should he remain in a custodial environment and he has been advised who he should turn to should he be released.
“He has found the two months in custody to be a devastating experience. He has the good sense, should he be released today, that he will not put himself in this position again.”
Kolon admitted one count of blackmail. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey prison issue jumper and with a pair of glasses perched on top of his head, he was handed a 14-month imprisonment suspended for two years with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days and a five-year restraining order.
Sentencing, Judge Sarah O’Brien said: “Having read the letter, it was an unsophisticated and bizarre letter in many ways. He said that he felt frightened, unsettled and anxious in his own home.
“Your mother said she was very upset, distressed and anxious for her husband’s safety. At that time, although they may have had their suspicions, neither of them actually knew who that letter was from.
“There are significant mitigating features. You are of previous good character. You do have some significant mental health difficulties. You are remorseful, which I accept is entirely genuine, given you admitted this offence to the police before you were even questioned about it.
“This was an isolated incident. You yourself are extremely isolated. Prison has been a salutary experience. You have accommodation which you will lose if you are sentenced to custody today.
“I am satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, given the long period that you have had good character. There is strong personal mitigation. The issue, really, is risk.
“The pre-sentence report says that you are a low risk of reoffending but a high risk of harm to known adults. I take the view that can, to some extent, be mitigated by a restraining order.
“Taking everything into account, I am not satisfied, on balance, that the seriousness of the offence means appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody. I am therefore going to suspend the sentence.
“It is very unfortunate that you are deemed unsuitable for a mental health treatment requirement because your needs are too great. Your mental health has clearly played a role in you ending up in this situation.
“The reality is, my hands are tied to a certain extent. I would strongly advise you to self refer. It is imperative, in my view, that you get some assistance with your mental health.”