Man jailed for funeral threats to ex-partner

A Dartford man has been jailed for one year after threatening his ex-partner with violence if she attended his mother's funeral. Danny Jarvis, 35, pleaded guilty to harassment and an offence under the Malicious Communication Act at Woolwich Crown Court. The court heard Jarvis sent threatening voice notes and messages to the victim, including threats directed at her children.

Threats escalated from prison

The initial threat was sent on February 4, stating the victim would receive 'the dashing of her life' if she attended the funeral. Two days later, Jarvis sent further threatening voice notes. While remanded in prison, Jarvis continued his campaign of intimidation. On February 20, his sister sent the victim a recording of a conversation with Jarvis, in which he threatened that if the victim attended the funeral, her children would attend her funeral instead. Judge Christopher Grout described these actions as targeted and persistent, intended to cause distress and including an explicit threat to the victim's life.

The funeral was attended by both Jarvis and the victim, with police present to maintain order. In a statement read to the court, the victim expressed her fear, stating, 'The messages he has sent me from prison show he is definitely going to do something, I am scared of him.' She added, 'He is not welcome in mine or my children’s lives. He is a danger to society.'

Extensive criminal record

Jarvis has a history of offending, with 33 previous convictions for 77 offences recorded between 2004 and 2025. These convictions include prior offences of malicious communications and grievous bodily harm. Judge Grout remarked on his 'diabolical criminal record'.

Mitigation presented to the court suggested the offences were committed during a period of difficult circumstances for Jarvis following his mother's death. He expressed remorse and a desire to learn from his mistakes. Judge Grout sentenced Jarvis to one year in custody. He is eligible for release after serving half his sentence, and time spent on remand may result in his immediate release.