Christopher Kolon sent a threatening letter pretending to be from the mafia to his stepfather Bill Gaugh, demanding an apology to the King and warning that his eye would be removed with a spoon
A man masqueraded as a member of the mafia while threatening his stepfather that his arm would be severed and his eye gouged out with a spoon. Christopher Kolon delivered the chilling threats in a sinister letter which he sent to his mother’s new partner along with a pair of garden shears.
The incident followed his apparent resentment over his victim’s absence from a Remembrance Day service and because he had “not allowed his wife to speak”. This prompted him to demand an apology to the King and that his mother be purchased a new outfit and a poppy.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Thursday, that Kolon’s stepfather Bill Gaugh received a letter and a pair of pruning shears through recorded delivery post on January 28 this year. This correspondence “claimed to have come from the mafia” and delivered a series of threats against him for “various wrongdoings”.
Matthew Dixon, prosecuting, said the victim was also instructed to purchase poppies for both himself and his partner and to share a cup of tea with Kolon to “put it to bed”. He was also warned that, should he refuse to comply, the author would “attend his house, put a gun in his mouth and pull the trigger”.
This resulted in officers visiting Kolon’s residence on Part Street in Southport, where he “made full and frank admissions” to writing the letter. The 47-year-old has no prior convictions, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Desmond Lennon, defending, informed the court: “He knows and understands that he is being sentenced on a very serious matter. He understands that Mr Gough would have been frightened and distressed, as would his mother, and he accepts full responsibility for his conduct.
“He had no intention of causing physical harm whatsoever, but realises that the worry caused was very serious. He is sorry and ashamed and instructs me to apologise for the harm caused.
“By way of explanation, it seems that his mental health was deteriorating last year, leading up to Christmas. He realises that he should have addressed his mental health issues. He did not do so.
“Both the psychiatric report and the pre-sentence report refer to him experiencing hallucinations. Some of the hallucinations were perhaps quite troubling in content.
“He believed there was a long standing issue in his relationship with Mr Gough and hoped, by communicating with Mr Gough, that he could resolve the problems in the relationship. He now realises, of course, given the content of the letter, that was a very misguided decision to get in touch in the way he did.”
Kolon pleaded guilty to one charge of blackmail. He received a 14-month jail term suspended for two years alongside a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days and a five-year restraining order.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Sarah O’Brien stated: “Having read the letter, it was an unsophisticated and bizarre letter in many ways. He said that he felt frightened, unsettled and anxious in his own home.
“Your mother said she was very upset, distressed and anxious for her husband’s safety. At that time, although they may have had their suspicions, neither of them actually knew who that letter was from.
“There are significant mitigating features. You are of previous good character. You do have some significant mental health difficulties. You are remorseful, which I accept is entirely genuine, given you admitted this offence to the police before you were even questioned about it.
“This was an isolated incident. You yourself are extremely isolated…I am satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, given the long period that you have had good character.”