A MAN who threatened to behead a Kidderminster business expert in front of an audience of people at the University of Worcester has been branded a "terrorist."

Symon Hawkes, aged 34, made threats to kill Stuart Allen, who runs Worcestershire Hour, a networking and news hashtag for Worcestershire businesses, charities and communities.

Hawkes admitted making threats to kill and harassment, which included trying to call Mr Allen 35 times and leaving 10 abusive and threatening voicemails at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday, August 28).

Magistrates heard on one occasion, Hawkes booked onto a course under a false name, linked to his own email address, and called Mr Allen to say he would kill him there.

Mr Allen, aged 54, of Kidderminster, who lives with his wife and stepson, said: "I regard him as a terrorist – his plan was to impact as much terror over me as he could.

"I think it is a shame – he is dangerous to people and I don’t think he really feels remorse.

"I used to be the kind of person who always took people on face value and I would ignore what people said against that.

"Now I find myself being more closed."

Mr Allen said his stepson, who is in his 20s, had also been particularly affected by the threats.

He added that he had tried to help Hawkes by offering a free online business course and the chance to be paid for enlisting other participants.

The court heard how in 2015, Hawkes set up an account called @Deals4Worcester and after Allen had felt he was stealing his supporters he had blocked him from his site.

Later the pair met at an event and resolved their differences, prompting Mr Allen to unblock Hawkes.

Then in June 2018, he set up an account called @Deals4Worcs and, following a similar situation Mr Allen again blocked him, and Hawkes then verbally abused him.

Robert Whitehouse, prosecuting, said after a conversation, the relationship became "amicable" again.

However, on August 9, Hawkes changed his name to @3CountiesHour and asked Mr Allen to promote it.

Mr Allen refused and Hawkes, of Hawksworth House, Pannier Close, Kidderminster, rang him repetitively and said he was "coming for him".

Fergus Maxwell, defending, said: "He is remorseful, he regards the things he said in the heat of the moment.

"Due to issues, Mr Hawkes suffers from anxiety and depression. He doesn't really have people in his life to share things with.

"Mr Hawkes accepts he gets things out of proportion.

"Mr Hawkes wants to draw a line under this. He is most anxious things can be concluded today."

Magistrates ordered a full-report to be carried out by the probation service before sentencing could continue.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 18.