Gladiator waiting to hear fate on harass charges - court

2:12pm Friday 9th May 2008

A STRONGMAN is waiting to be sentenced after admitting harassing his ex-partner and intimidating a witness.

Sebastian Abbatiello made repeated phone calls, sent text messages and turned up at the woman's house during a five-month period last year.

On one occasion, he cornered the woman in her car, followed her, got out of the car and made a throat slitting gesture saying: "I am going to kill you."

Worcester Magistrates Court was told Abbatiello's behaviour was due to the relationship breakdown with his partner and his desperation to see his daughter.

Abbatiello appeared at court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to harassment and intimidating a witness. He also admitted breaching a 12-month conditional discharge imposed in July 2006 for disorderly behaviour.

The 48-year-old, who once competed in Britain's Strongest Man and appeared in films such as Gladiator and Revolver, had been in the relationship for seven years.

After the relationship ended, issues surrounding custody of his daughter began to develop and the couple are now embroiled in county court proceedings.

"He is a sensible, mature man, but unfortunately this is an affair of the heart," said Mohammed Hussain, defending.

In June last year, Abbatiello, of Worcester Road, Hanley Swan, near Upton-upon-Severn, was given a harassment warning after his former partner complained about his behaviour. Despite the warning, he continued harassing her and on June 27 last year confronted her when she was in a car with her mother and the youngster.

The situation ended with Abbatiello running his finger across his throat, screaming and banging on the car.

While on bail awaiting trial for harassment, he phoned his former partner and said: "What you need to do is not turn up to court next week for the harassment case."

Mr Hussain said Abbatiello had also been receiving calls from the woman, sometimes up to 20 a day, and reciprocated.

"His foolishness was to allow himself to fall into the traps that have been set for him," he said.

Abbatiello, who had spent 39 days in custody after being refused bail, was granted conditional bail and will appear back before the city's magistrates on Monday, June 2, for sentence.

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