"The stuff of horror stories": Hammer-wielding South Yorkshire thug threatened to kill pregnant woman and her young son

Kyle Fell, aged 30, of Rawmarsh Hill, Parkgate, Rotherham, unleashed terrifying abuse and threats after he visited the woman’s home in Rotherham.

Adam Walker, prosecuting, told a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court that the complainant had been at home with another man and woke to hear a commotion downstairs during a visit from the defendant.

Mr Walker added: “He said, ‘Why are you talking about me? I will set your house on fire and strangle your kid and kill you’.”

The complainant told Fell her three-year-old son was in bed and she was pregnant but the defendant said he did not care, according to Mr Walker.

Fell smashed vases as the complainant went back upstairs and called police, according to Mr Walker, and she could hear him flicking a lighter and shouting, “I will burn you f*****g alive”.

Mr Walker said she could see Fell coming upstairs and he was armed with a hammer before police arrived.

Fell, who has 33 previous convictions including offences for violence, pleaded guilty to making threats to kill and to causing damage after the incident in December, 2020.

The complainant stated she had been so scared she ran from the house and still fears the defendant now.

Clarkson Baptiste, defending, said: “He is motivated to change but his greatest failing - turning the words and desires into actions - is something he finds difficult to do."

Mr Baptiste added Fell’s addiction to drugs and alcohol has led to this situation and he is ashamed and cannot believe he acted this way.

He also said Fell has little recollection of what happened and he appreciates the effects on those present and wishes to express his apologies.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told Fell: “You were threatening to set the house on fire, to strangle her child and to kill her.

“You were coming up the stairs flicking a lighter, shouting that you would burn the house down and burn them alive.

“This is the stuff of horror stories. You were armed with a hammer.”

Judge Kelson sentenced Fell to 28 months of custody.

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