A dispute over a flooring job turned into a threatening tirade, ending with a court appearance and a suspended prison sentence for a 32-year-old woman from Prenton, near Birkenhead.
Cody Davies hired builder Kevin Phillips to install epoxy resin flooring at her home in November. When he sent an invoice for £750 in December — the price both had agreed before work began — Davies refused to pay. Instead, she demanded he reimburse her £1,100, claiming the job was substandard, and began posting images of his work on Facebook.
The situation quickly escalated. Davies sent Phillips a series of threatening voice notes via WhatsApp, telling him she would “machete you up” and “chop you up in my living room.” She also warned him to watch his house, used a racial slur, and claimed she had previously been “done for attempted murder.” On Facebook, she stated she wanted “the money or a fight” and threatened to post his home address to others.
Phillips blocked Davies on both platforms, but posts continued to circulate. His partner was alerted to the online messages. Phillips subsequently reported the matter to police, saying he feared for his family’s safety and that damage might be done to his property.
During a police interview on December 14, Davies told officers she had been unemployed and living with her mother for six months. She became agitated during questioning and the interview had to be stopped. Davies already held a prior conviction for a malicious communication.
At Wirral Magistrates Court, Davies pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment. She received a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for one year, along with 15 days of rehabilitation activity. She was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to Phillips, fined £60, and issued costs and a surcharge totalling £239. A 12-month restraining order prohibiting any contact with Phillips was also imposed.
