A former rugby league star raided his ex-wife’s wardrobe and tore up all her dresses in a jealous rage after he accused her of having an affair with a work colleague.
Nick Owen sent his wife Katie a series of abusive messages while she was out with friends before ripping his clothes off at their marital home saying: “There’s no way you’re going to see anyone from work.” I’m done, you lying bastard.’
Mrs Owen, a client services adviser at the Environment Agency, ended up staying with her sister but returned to the property in Warrington, Cheshire, to find dresses worth a total of £460 had been destroyed.
Warrington Magistrates Court was told the 39-year-old man turned up unexpectedly at a pub where his wife was socializing with her work colleagues. The father-of-two had warned Mrs Owen earlier that afternoon: “I’m coming for him.” I don’t mind. I will be with you.’
She fled with a friend with the plan to return home only to find Owen already at the property with the couple’s son and daughter, ages 16 and 12.
Nick Owen, 39 (pictured), sent Katie, his wife of 12 years, a host of abusive messages.
Former Rugby Super League star Nick and Katie pictured in happier times
Nick played for Super League team Leigh Centurions, now known as Leigh Leopards.
In subsequent WhatsApp and text messages he sent her, he told her: ‘Answer the phone. You’ve abandoned your kids and you’re dating that guy.
“If you don’t answer, I’ll go to your mother’s house and punch your father.”
The former winger for Super League team Leigh Centurions, now known as Leigh Leopards, pleaded guilty to harassment and criminal damage and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £460 in compensation for the dresses.
Mrs Owen, who is in her 30s, initially sought a restraining order against her ex-husband but changed her mind for the sake of the children.
The court heard that the couple had reported dating in 2004 and married in 2011, but their relationship began to deteriorate in 2019 due to Owen’s alcohol abuse, which was said to cause outbursts of jealousy. They finally broke up in August of last year.
Michael O’Kane, prosecuting, said: “The harassment took place between December 1 and 2.
‘Mrs Owen said she was in Stockton Heath, Warrington, with friends when she started receiving messages from the defendant saying: ‘Where are you?’
‘She replied: ‘Why?’ since her messages seem to be accusatory, accusing her of lying about something. But he said she would tell him and then goes on to say, “I’m going after him.” She replied, ‘For whom,’ and he said, ‘For whoever is there,’ and then she referred to one male in particular.
Former Rugby Super League star Nick Owen pictured outside Warrington Magistrates’ Court
Mrs Owen, aged in her 30s, initially sought a restraining order against her ex-husband.
‘Mrs Owen said, ‘Don’t be stupid, I’m with a lot of people,’ but he said, ‘I don’t care.’ I will be with you. Are you still on the ‘Mull’? It doesn’t matter, I’ll find you.
‘Other messages include: ‘Where the hell are you?’, ‘I’m done,’ ‘I’ve had enough,’ ‘I texted the kids,’ ‘I’m sorry,’ and ‘Bye.’
‘At that moment she is worried. Her messages initially accuse her of something but she’s not sure what. She also worries that he will cause her embarrassment.
“The defendant then turned up at a pub where he was with some co-workers and said she was surprised to see him.
“She left with a friend and they offered her a ride home, but the accused must have taken a taxi because when she returned she was already at the address.
“She was so worried that the defendant was on the property that she didn’t want to go inside.
Nick and Katie’s relationship began to deteriorate in 2019 due to his alcohol abuse, the court heard (Pictured: The couple in happier times)
Former Super League side Leigh Leopards winger (pictured) has pleaded guilty to harassment and criminal damage.
‘She was worried he would cause a problem. He went to his sister’s house. The messages continued: ‘No way are you going to see anyone from work. I finished. You’re lying, bitch.’
O’Kane said Owen tried to call her and sent her another message calling her a “f***ing house” and added: “Answer the phone.” You’ve abandoned your kids and you’re dating that guy.
‘If you don’t answer, I’ll go to your mother’s house and punch your father. You are a horrible idiot. You’re a lying idiot.’
Mr O’Kane said: “The messages continued along those lines with threatening words and insults towards Ms Owen.
‘He said he knew the accused is at home with the children.
‘The accused damaged or destroyed clothing or dresses belonging to Mrs Owen at the property.
Magistrates also gave Owen (pictured) a 12-month community order with a requirement that he complete 25 rehabilitation activity days.
‘There were a large number of items. The estimated cost of the dresses was £460. Compensation for that amount is requested.
‘The plaintiff initially reported that she wanted a restraining order. However, she more recently said that she did not want a restraining order because they have children.
‘Despite what has happened, she does not want to file for that restraining order.
‘The aggravating characteristics of this case are that it was a domestic context, the accused was under the influence of alcohol and in some of the behaviors there were children present in the home. To his credit, Mr. Owen pleaded guilty at the first hearing.
Owen had previous convictions for drink-driving and criminal damage. Appearing in court unrepresented, he accepted the facts of the case and said he still sees the children at least three times a week and takes one of them to watch football.
“I work with my son,” he said, “he just started an apprenticeship.”
Magistrates also gave Owen a 12-month community order with a requirement that he complete 25 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to pay £274 in costs and surcharges.
Magistrate Alan Davies said: ‘We have listened very carefully to what has been said and we would like to follow the recommendation of the probation report.
“We have taken into account his early guilty plea, but we have also taken into account an internal situation.”
