Jealous boyfriend leaves Southsea partner frightened for her life during 'terrifying' cocaine-fuelled destruction

Crazed Tony Tosswill, 28, went on a spree of destruction on the victim’s Southsea flat while ‘revelling’ in humiliating his lover as she was left trapped at his mercy.

Tosswill flew into a blind rage the morning after Valentine’s Day on February 15 after becoming angry over messages on his partner’s phone.

It led to the defendant, appearing via video-link at Portsmouth Crown Court, turning nasty with him delivering menacing warnings including: ‘You’ve made an enemy of me.’

A torrent of withering put-downs were also levelled at his girlfriend, who the defendant remains in a relationship with, such as: ‘Look at the state of you.’

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson told the court Tosswill’s anger continued to rise before he exploded and smashed up her flat.

He said: ‘(Tosswill) put ash on the carpet from a cigarette before smashing up furniture in her flat.

‘He took her phone and told her to get on the floor and “clean up the flat”. He was getting a kick out of frightening her and found it funny.

‘She was trying to get her phone back which he had smashed. He then picked it up and threw it against a wall and said: “There’s your phone.”

‘He made threats against her family and was revelling in the situation.’

During the campaign of terror, Tosswill smashed windows and mirrors, broke a television after throwing it against a wall, damaged a sofa, doors, table and a chest of draws, as well as destroying two lamps and throwing a bottle of gin through a window.

A ‘splattering of blood’ was left on the floor, the prosecutor said.

In total, the damage amounted to £2,315.

Tosswill, of Chivers Road, Southampton, had charges of threatening to kill and assault by beating dropped but admitted a single count of criminal damage.

Defending, Daniel Reilly, said the defendant’s behaviour was sparked by use of alcohol and drugs but said the incident was a ‘wake-up call’ to him changing his ways.

The lawyer added: ‘His partner is supporting him through this. The relationship is the most stable it has been at this moment.’

Judge Timothy Mousley QC sentenced Tosswill to nine weeks jail suspended for two years, told him to undergo 20 rehabilitation days and complete a relationship course.

Tosswill was also told to cough up compensation of £2,315 despite the defendant already making a weekly contribution to his partner for the damage caused.

The judge said: ‘It was a terrifying experience and a gross overreaction to anything you might have seen (on the victim’s phone).

‘There was very little that was left undamaged in the flat and you were shouting abuse to the point she feared for her life and prevented her leaving.’

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