Someone may die the next time a Pembroke man gets violent with his ex-girlfriend, a Magistrate has warned.

Magistrate Archibald Warner on Friday told Dale Eugene Whitfield he was lucky to only get nine months in prison. But he warned him if his abusive behaviour were to continue, there may be more tragic consequences.

And Mr. Warner said nine concurrent sentences of between three and nine months should not be seen as a slap on the wrist.

"It is only because I have a bit of compassion,'' Mr. Warner added.

In all, Whitfield, of Fenton's Drive, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to three counts each of breaking and entering Tania Marie Smith's home, assaulting her, and damaging her property.

A charge of assaulting his daughter while she was in her mother's arms was dropped after Whitfield admitted the other charges.

He explained his actions in the three incidents to Mr. Warner, saying: "I'm truly sorry. I apologise for my actions. I'm very salvageable, maybe with some counselling...'' "I wasn't dealing with the break-up somehow after all these years,'' he added. "She's put up with quite a lot and I just got frustrated.'' Whitfield also hinted at his numerous drug convictions, saying: "It's been ten years of what I'll call the `wild life'. I got caught up. I'm sorry for the trouble I put her family through.'' Crown counsel Leighton Rochester told Mr. Warner that Whitfield had entered his estranged girlfriend's home on February 4 and 23 and broke and entered the home on September 12.

Whitfield hit Smith -- who was in the court on Friday with her family -- on each occasion.

In the most recent incident, Ms Smith awoke to hear her front door closing at 3.15 a.m. on September 12.

Mr. Rochester said when Ms Smith investigated the noise, Whitfield shouted: "I've come here to kill you tonight.'' In all, Whitfield admitted kicking Ms Smith five times that morning, causing bruising about her face.

She was able to run to a neighbour's home and summon Police, but not before Whitfield was heard to say: "Call the f...ing Police. I don't care!'' When he was arrested on September 14, he told Police in an interview: "F...

this! You guys always believe that innocent looking b.... -- she should be locked up.'' For the September 12 offences, Mr. Warner sentenced Whitfield to six months in prison for damaging Ms Smith's door and two nine-month sentences for breaking and entering and assault.

For the February incidents, Whitfield must serve two three-month sentences for damaging Ms Smith's property, and one six-month and one nine-month terms for unlawfully entering her home.

Whitfield was also sentenced to two nine-month sentences for assaulting Ms Smith.

Mr. Warner told him: "These are very serious offences. And from a person with a very terrible record. You have to help yourself. I can't help you.

"I would be derogating my responsibility if I didn't deal with you in a way that reflects the abhorrence of this society to this sort of thing,'' Mr.

Warner added.

"I'm warning you. Somebody may get killed,'' he said pointing at Whitfield.

"I know you and you can't fool me.''