One of the West Midlands' most wanted domestic abusers has been jailed after threatening to have his ex-partner’s home petrol bombed and kill her in front of her children.

Kieran Taplin said he would ‘smash every wall in the house’ in a terrifying campaign of threats against his victim. She bravely came forward in July last year, and officers began searching for Taplin.

Their breakthrough came on 15 August 2019 when an off-duty officer noticed him in Quarry Bank driving a stolen Audi carrying false plates. Officers arrived shortly after, but Taplin rammed their car and drove off. Two hours later, he was spotted again in Netherton in the same car. He was arrested, and found to have a knife and drugs on him.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday 7th February, he was jailed for five years after being found guilty of blackmail. He was also found guilty of assault, criminal damage and given consecutive prison sentences for those offences.

Taplin, aged 31, of Stourbridge Road, Lye, was also given consecutive prison sentences for motoring offences and possession of a knife, meaning he has been jailed for a total of eight years. He was also given a lifetime restraining order banning him from contact with the victim. Detective Sergeant Adam Smith from the Public Protection Unit, said:

“Taplin was one of our most wanted people just prior to his arrest. He is quite simply a violent, drug-fuelled offender who posed a significant risk to vulnerable women, members of the public, and us as officers.

"I am glad we have now been able to bring this dangerous person to justice and protect his victim from coming to any further harm at his hands.”