A MAN who threatened another outside a Powys pub, a day after a restraining order in place against him had expired, has been hit with a second order banning him from contacting his victim. 

Nick James Blaber, 33, told Joe Williams “you’re not making it home tonight” when he confronted him outside the Fountain Inn, on Builth Wells’ high street, on the evening of September 24, last year. 

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Blaber had previously been given a two-year restraining order barring him from contacting Mr Williams back in September 2019. The court was told Blaber, currently serving a prison term at HMP Cardiff for a separate matter, had approached Mr Williams the day after that restraining order expired.

Magistrates sitting on Wednesday, April 27, added nine weeks to Blaber’s current term of imprisonment – though they ordered it would run concurrently, so he will not serve additional time – and also granted another two-year restraining order, banning him from contacting victim Mr Williams in any way. 

Appearing via videolink, Blaber, of no fixed abode, admitted a charge of threatening behaviour. 

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said police received a phonecall from Mr Williams about the incident on September 25, 2021, a day after it had taken place. 

“Joe Williams told police he had been approached outside the Fountain by the defendant, who he knew, and said he had made some threats against him,” said Mr Davies. 

He continued: “On the night of this incident, Mr Williams said he had been having a cigarette when the defendant approached him and said ‘you’re not making it home tonight, you better watch out, you can’t do sh*t, the restraining order is over so I can chat to you’. 

“Friends assisted him (Mr Williams) but the defendant made no attempt to leave. This was all on camera. Eventually, he did walk away. 

“The defendant was described as hostile, he had his arms out like he wanted to fight. The victim says he feels paranoid and anxious. Witnesses heard some threats. 

“In interview the defendant admitted being present, but he denied making any comments, although there is a guilty plea today.”

Mr Davies said Blaber had 34 convictions for 64 offences, including his latest which was an assault on an emergency worker. He said he is currently in custody and one previous conviction related to this victim.

Gareth Walters, acting for Blaber, said his client is currently a serving prisoner, having been handed a 21-month custodial sentence in February this year; he is due to be released in October. 

He said: “He has been using his time in custody to his advantage, taking a number of courses managing stress, anxiety and his ADHD, in order to monitor his behaviour in the future. 

“He has been recently diagnosed with autism, which may explain his impulsive behaviour in this case. The offence took place once the order had expired. 

“A lot of time has passed and his status changed significantly."

Magistrates imposed a nine-week concurrent sentence, so Blaber will still be released in October. 

In addition, they ordered him to pay a £128 surcharge upon his release. 

A new restraining order to protect Mr Williams was made and will be in place for two years.