Police refused to accept evidence from a woman whose flatmate had repeatedly threatened to kill and disfigure her while brandishing a knife because an officer wrongly thought the case had been dropped.

Grzegorz Grzelinski, now of Invicta Road, Sheerness, denied harassment and stood trial at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

While giving evidence, Laima Nustajeva revealed she had recorded the terrifying encounters with the alcoholic 60-year-old and taken them to the police but had been turned away.

After hearing the recordings, Grzelinski, who spoke through an interpreter and said he could not recall any of the incidents, changed his plea to guilty.

Andrew Jones, prosecuting, said Grzelinski and Miss Nustajeva had lived together at a flat in Barrow Grove, Sittingbourne.

Grzelinski – who has a wife of 38 years in Poland – was romantically interested in Miss Nustajeva but she did not feel the same way, he said.

After she rejected his advances, drunken Grzelinski saw red and threatened to kill her – twice openly and once in a more veiled manner – and to throw acid in her face.

On two of the occasions, the victim claimed he brandished a knife at her.

But despite the nature of the incidents, Miss Nustajeva declined a restraining order as the pair have a number of mutual friends.

"Kent Police don't come out of this well" - defence lawyer Wayne Crowhurst

Wayne Crowhurst, defending, said: “Kent Police don’t come out of this well.

"The victim took them the recordings but the officer thought the charge had been dropped.

"It’s absolutely shocking behaviour and could have resulted in far worse incidents happening.”

A police spokesman said: “The victim provided an initial statement and the man was arrested and charged.

“The victim later returned to Sittingbourne Police Station with video footage on her mobile phone which she showed to an officer.

"However, due to the size of the video file, she was unable to transfer or send it to the officer.

"The officer noted what was said in the recordings.

"The victim declined to sign a statement exhibiting these recordings and stated she no longer wished to support a prosecution.”

Magistrates sentenced the factory worker to 182 days in prison, suspended for two years, ordered him to carry out 270 hours of community service and 10 rehabilitation days. He must also pay £285.