November 15, 2016 3.26 pm This story is over 88 months old

“I’ll make your life hell”: Man jailed for threatening witnesses in brother’s court case

A man who threatened witnesses in a court case against his brother has been jailed at Lincoln Crown Court. Michael Miller approached one witness warning her of what would happen if she gave evidence against his brother. Stephen Taylor, prosecuting, said that the woman told Miller he was not supposed to talk to her. But…
Lincoln Crown Court. Photo: The Lincolnite

A man who threatened witnesses in a court case against his brother has been jailed at Lincoln Crown Court.

Michael Miller approached one witness warning her of what would happen if she gave evidence against his brother.

Stephen Taylor, prosecuting, said that the woman told Miller he was not supposed to talk to her.

But Miller then told her: “My brother is going to jail for 10 years. Are you going to court against my brother? I want to know.”

When the woman told him she was definitely going to court Miller threatened her: “It will be the last thing you ever do. I’ll make your life hell.”

On another occasion Miller called at the home of a second witness.

Mr Taylor said: “He told him not to go to the court.”

Miller added: “I will make life very, very difficult for you.”

Police were called to the property and Miller claimed he had gone to the house to complain about cats going into his garden.

Miller’s brother, who was not identified in court, later pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was dealt with by a community order.

Miller, 31, of Cowper Drive, Lincoln, admitted two charges of witness intimidation in January 2015.

He was jailed for 12 months and given a three year restraining order, banning him from contact with his two victims.

Recorder Jacob Hallam, passing sentence, told him: “This was an example of extremely ill-advised, ill-thought-out and foolish behaviour, motivated by a desire to help your brother because you were concerned about him.

“These are serious offences. I am satisfied that the only appropriate sentence is custody and custody has to be immediate.”

Edna Leonard, in mitigation, said Miller acted out of concern for his brother.

She said: “This is a man who had his own problems at the time which will have affected his thinking. In many ways he was still in grief at his mother’s death. It was concern for his brother’s well-being that prompted this.”

Miss Leonard said that Miller was described by his partner as “a brilliant dad”. She said he has health problems and is currently on a waiting list for a knee operation.