Angry ex kicked down Leeds woman's door and brandished knife 'over social media post'
A violent thug smashed the door in at his ex’s home before brandishing a knife, forcing her to flee into the street.
William Foley was told he had shown “no remorse” for the terrifying attack in Halton, having kicked the woman’s door of its hinges in drink.
The 25-year-old was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this week after he admitted using violence to secure entry to premises, and making threats with a bladed article in a private place and a public place.
Prosecutor Emily Hassell said at around 9.40pm on August 3, he had gone to the woman’s home and was kicking the door, eventually ripping it from its hinges.
The woman frantically tried to call the police, later telling them that she believed he was angry about a post she had “liked” on social media. Foley retrieved a 30-cm-long knife from the kitchen, so the woman and her sister ran out of the house, pursued by Foley.
He then waved the knife towards her again in the street, but then fled the scene. The police arrived and searched the area but could not find him. However, hours later the woman called the police to say Foley was in her back garden.
Officers arrived to find him laid on a trampoline, under a blanket. He gave a no-comment interview to police.
Foley, of Coldcotes Grove, Gipton, has four previous convictions, including ABH on the same ex partner for which he received a 30-week jail sentence in 2022.
He denied his latest offences but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial at Leeds Magistrates’ Court. He appeared for sentence via video link from HMP Leeds, where he was being held on remand.
Mitigating, Charlotte Noddings said Foley took medication for ADHD but had drunk alcohol that evening. She said: “He offers no excuse for his actions, only remorse.
“He is very much at a turning point in his life. He is motivated to address the issues.”
She said he had very little memory of the incident, but denied it was over a post on social media.
But the judge, Recorder Andrew Dallas told Foley: “You did not show any remorse. You instruct your counsel that you are now remorseful, on the day of your sentence that may be the case.”
He jailed Foley for 21 months.