THE victim of a man convicted of a ‘threat to kill’ offence has hit out at the culprit’s suspended sentence, saying it is “far too lenient”.

Christopher David Farrand was sentenced to 28 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after being found guilty at Taunton Deane Magistrates Court earlier this year of threatening to kill James Rashbrook.

Farrand is on bail on the condition he does not contact ‘in any way’ the victim James Rashbrook, who has since been moved to the Wellington area from Bishops Lydeard by the council.

Farrand was also ordered by the court to complete 25 days of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement as directed by the Probation Service, and to pay costs of £328.

He was also made subject to a restraining order which will be in place until November 22, 2024, with the condition he does not contact James Rashbrook.

But Mr Rashbrook, 41, said this week: “A threat to kill offence can carry a far heavier sentence - up to ten years in prison.

“I have been told he should have been sent to prison because he is showing no remorse.

“It was also stated Farrand could be rehabilitated.”

Farrand, who is on bail, has now appealed against the conviction and this will now be heard at the Crown Court later in the year.

Mr Rashbrook added: “I am still in fear of this man although I feel safer living in Wellington. I am 12 miles away and he doesn’t know where I live.

“The council have been brilliant over this and I have a smashing place - better than where I was in Bishops Lydeard.

“I am certainly not complaining about where I now live but there is always the fear I might bump into him. It is not a nice feeling.”