A SCAFFOLDING company worker posted a video on the internet in which he threatened a witness in a police investigation.

Daniel Shannon Christie, 34, had just been released under police investigation after allegations were made against him about possible harassment, Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court heard.

The man he threatened online was an alleged victim of that potential offence.

In court, Christie, of John Robert Gardens, Carlisle, admitted witness intimidation.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said the defendant was released “under investigation” by police on March 24.

The following day, he posted a website on a website called The Real Fight Club in which he made threats against the alleged victim.

Mrs Jackson said: “In the video, he said that if he saw [the witness] in the street he would knock his chins off. He made reference to being arrested and to the police investigation.

[The witness] feels intimidated by the threats and is fearful that he will be assaulted.”

The prosecutor said Christie was not heavily convicted.

In September of 2017, he was convicted of battery after he punched his mother in the face - an offence for which he was given a jail sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. That suspension period expired on March 25.

Mark Shepherd, for Christie, explained what the defendant said was the background to the intimidation offence.

“On March 22,” said the lawyer, “the defendant was attending a funeral and [the victim] bombarded him with text messages. Mr Christie sent a text message back explaining that he was at a funeral and that he would speak to him later.

“But [the victim] didn’t listen and rang him repeatedly. He made a threat to take a baseball bat to Mr Christie’s mother’s head and he would do this before he had an opportunity to repair his relationship with his mother, which made it even more sinister.”

The lawyer said that conversation was heard by several witnesses as the defendant’s phone was on loud speaker at the time at Harraby Catholic Club. Mr Shepherd said there were strong feelings on both sides of the dispute.

He asked District Judge Gerald Chalk to grant the defendant - a father-of-three - bail with a condition that he be banned from uploading videos to any social media website.

The lawyer said some of the witnesses against the defendant were known to the police. Mr Shepherd added: “He’s made a monumental error in uploading that video and he acknowledges he will now face justice in the crown court.”

District Judge Chalk said the offence was so serious that Christie should be sentenced by a Crown Court judge. Remanding the defendant in custody, Judge Chalk set the date of the sentencing hearing for May 1.