A HAMPSHIRE man has been given a suspended sentence after threatening witnesses to a crime, telling one: “You’re dead.”

Paul Stanley Cooper, 18, of Brick Lane, Bransgore, had pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court to telling one man to retract his statement and physically threatening him on October 12, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Magistrates sentenced Cooper to ten weeks, suspended for 12 months, for threatening witnesses.

He must carry out 80 hours of work in the community and take an education, training and skills course.

The magistrates sentenced him to 12 weeks concurrent for the second incident on November 16, in which he told his victim: “You’re dead.”

They also ordered Cooper to pay an £80 victim surcharge but made no order for costs.