An Overton man told his wife he would kill her after accusing her of not taking care of him when he was released from hospital, a court has heard.

Stanley James Greenwood messaged his wife of a decade saying he would "accidentally try and kill you" and that she was "going in a black bag".

He also told her that others would be happy when she died, after a falling out when he was released from hospital last year.

The 44-year-old suffered a fall and required a hospital stay, had lost his job and increased his alcohol consumption.

A statement from his wife, read to the court by prosecutor David Fossler, said: "Since [he lost his job], his get up and go just went.

"He stopped taking his anti-depressants as he didn't believe he needed them anymore.

"When he came back from hospital, he was assuming I wasn't doing enough for him.

"His alcohol consumption got to a point that his behaviour started to change.

"The issues came as a result of him losing his job and his mobility issues."

After reporting the threatening messages to the police, which came on July 23, 2020, Greenwood's wife said that she was "extremely worried what he will be like when he comes back to the house".

"I expect there will be further arguments," she said.

However, she later withdrew her support for the prosecution, and the court was told that the couple have reconciled their marriage.

Greenwood, of Foxdown in Overton, had initially denied an offence of sending offensive messages under the communications act, but later changed his plea to guilty.

Defending, Brett Lawler said that the offence was over a year old and that the couple's relationship is "much better than it was a year ago".

"I spoke to the defendant on the morning of the trial and went through those messages. He did show a great deal of insight into how she would feel about them."

But District Judge Timothy Pattinson was concerned after a report from the probation service found that he had "little acceptance of what he has done".

Mr Lawler continued: "The report does state that the defendant does show a great deal of remorse."

He further highlighted the "isolated nature" of the incident.

Sentencing Greenwood, District Judge Pattinson said that the messages showed "serious threats and are very very unpleasant".

He gave the former service manager a 12 month community order, which will see him complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Greenwood was fined £60, and ordered to pay costs of £100 and £95 in a victim surcharge.