Brighton man jailed for bombarding ex-partner from Cambridge with threats

He said he would ā€œdestroyā€ her life

Richard Melfi-Wroe
Author: Isabella HudsonPublished 3rd Jun 2025

A man who bombarded his ex-partner with threats, including claims he would ā€œdestroyā€ her life, has been jailed.

Richard Melfi-Wroe, 32, had been ordered not to contact the victim after he had been arrested for a string of offences against her in June last year.

But he deluged her with violent and aggressive messages and calls, vowing to ā€œtake everythingā€ from her, starting with her dog and then her Waterbeach home.

Among the many threats to destory her life, he also said he hoped her loved ones were ā€œready for what happens nextā€, adding, ā€œit’s on youā€.

He also sent the victim’s partner abusive messages on Facebook, making references to his children and his home address, and threatened, ā€œwhat will happen, will happenā€, if he didn’t respond by a certain date.

Melfi-Wroe also threatened to break every bone in his face.

In another message to the victim, Melfi-Wroe bragged he had become ā€œcold, calculated and without empathyā€ as he had nothing left to lose.

He acknowledged he was breaking his bail conditions but told the victim he was ā€œlooking forwardā€ to getting arrested again.

At Cambridge Crown Court on 29 May, Mefi-Wroe, of Bolney Avenue, Brighton, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison after admitting two counts of intimidating a witness.

The judge ordered one count of stalking and one count of harassment to lie on file.

Melfi-Wroe was also handed a 20-year restraining order against the victim and her partner.

DC Emma Cooke, who investigated, said: ā€œMelfi-Wroe’s abusive behaviour left the victim feeling overwhelmed and distressed due to his persistent, unwanted contact. It had a detrimental effect on her wellbeing, to the point where she wasn’t sure if she could support the investigation.

ā€œI would like to take this opportunity to thank the victim for her courage and resilience. I hope this sentencing provides her with some sort of closure.ā€

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