A “friends with benefits” relationship turned “toxic” when a man sent text messages threatening to stab his former partner, a court has heard.

The female victim told the court the man sent her a number of text messages, including one in which she said the man threatened to stick a knife to her throat and wait until he sees the blood.

The 29-year-old man pleaded guilty that on November 11, 2024, he made threats to kill or cause serious harm to the woman contrary to section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.

He also admitted breaching a protection order at the woman’s home in Galway City on a different date, contrary to section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act.

The court heard that the woman reported the threats to Gardaí, the man was arrested and made full admissions.

The woman told the court she felt scared after receiving the messages.

Asked by Judge Adrian Harris about the nature of the relationship with the man, the woman said: “It was friends with benefits.”

“It was just a pretend relationship,” she added.

Defending solicitor Catherine McDarby said the relationship may have been described as “pretend or imaginary” but it certainly wasn’t to her client.

Ms McDarby said a “massive amount of text messages” were exchanged between the parties when the protection order was in place and the State accepted that the victim did send a number of messages.

The court heard the man had “comprehension issues” and was supported in court by a care worker.

Ms McDarby said her client had no intention of carrying out the threats and “this was a relationship that turned toxic.”

She said her client made full and frank admissions to Gardaí and accepted he could not have any more contact with the woman.

The man’s sole previous conviction is for theft.

Judge Adrian Harris directed a report from the probation and welfare services to include assessment for community service and restorative justice.

He adjourned the case to a later date.

■ Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.