A prison-officer and former boxer who threatened to act like a “monster” towards his ex-wife was yesterday given a year-long conditional discharge.

Freeman Smith, 51, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to the use of threatening words against the woman. He admitted the charge on the day that his trial was set to begin.

The court heard that the two had been married for 11 years but separated last year.

The victim changed the locks to her house, but found Smith in the home on February 10 after her nephew, who was in the house at the time, let him in.

Kentisha Tweed, for the Crown, said that the two got into an argument and he blamed his ex-wife for making him assault her while they were married.

Smith also told his ex-wife that she had no right to change the locks in the house because he also owned it and threatened to “get these locks broken down”, the court heard.

He then said “I am not a monster – but I’ll show you a monster” and left the house.

The victim called the police and told them that she feared for her safety. Smith was later arrested.

Smith, who now lives in Devonshire, initially denied the offence when he was first charged on August 18 last year, but switched his plea yesterday.

He told the court that he went to the house to collect his belongings and was frustrated when he could not get in.

He added that he did not intend harm her or to cause her any alarm.

Saul Dismont, for the defence, said that his client had no previous convictions and was known for being a “loving and supportive man”.

He asked that Smith receive an absolute discharge, but Ms Tweed said that this would be inappropriate and instead asked for a twelve-month conditional discharge.

She told the court: “At the end of the day he has to take responsibility for his actions.

“We cannot let members of the community think that this sort of behaviour is okay.”

Magistrate Tyrone Chin sentenced him to the year-long conditional discharge and ordered him not to commit any further offences.