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Former Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers told his estranged wife "her life was over" and she would end up "in a coffin," in a series of vile Whatsapp messages.

Jeffers, 38, who now works as a youth coach for Everton FC, lost his temper after seeing his ex-partner of 20 years, Lucy Jeffers, in the company of another man.

The pair, who had been married for 10 years, split up earlier this year and are in the process of finalising a divorce.

Jeffers, of Greenfinch Close, Croxteth, pleaded guilty to sending a grossly offensive message via a public communications network at Liverpool Magistrates' Court today.

Sophie Leyland, prosecuting, told the court: "The complainant is Lucy Jeffers, and the defendant is her ex-partner.

(Image: Jason Roberts/Liverpool ECHO)

"They were in a relationship for approximately 20 years, and have been married for 10 years.

"The victim contacted police on June 1 reporting ongoing issues with the defendant, and part of the complaint was in relation to the break down in their relationship.

"On May 29 there were messages sent via WhatsApp to the victim making reference to the fact her life was over and referencing a coffin. The victim felt this was a threat to her life."

The CPS later clarified the message stated Mrs Jeffers would "not need many of her clothes as she would be in a coffin."

The court heard Mrs Jeffers had requested a restraining order keeping her soon-to-be ex-husband out of her home in Blundellsands and out of the city centre coffee shop Lucy in the Sky, which she owns.

Jeremy Hawthorn, defending Jeffers, said his client and Mrs Jeffers were in the process of agreeing a divorce in the Civil Courts and had been getting along well before the incident.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

He told the court: "He is a man of hitherto good character. He has a sporting career as his main achievement and he passes on that experience to the next generation as a full time coach."

Mr Hawthorn said the couple were expecting a decree absolute on November 22.

He said: "At the end of May there was a bit of a break down, on one evening he sees her in the company of another man, and tempers that had probably been bubbling away and would have come to a head, erupts and he sends those messages that he regrets."

Mr Hawthorn said Jeffers was invited for a voluntary interview by Merseyside Police and admitted the offence, telling officers he regretted his actions.

He said there had been no further issues between the pair since the offence and the divorce was progressing via their solicitors.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Chair of the magistrates' bench, Peter Fisher, said: "You have pleaded guilty and not prevaricated with the court.

"As Mr Hawthorn has told us this is something you seemed to show remorse and regret about and it is hopefully something you can put behind you in the future."

Mr Fisher said the offence fell into Category 3 of the sentencing guidelines and was therefore punishable by a fine.

He also prohibited Jeffers from contacting his wife by any means, and from entering the grounds of her home and her coffee shop, under the terms of a 12 month restraining order.

Jeffers was fined £625 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £62 victim surcharge.

Mr Hawthorn told the bench: "This is quite a sizeable sum so would the court allow three months for payment?"

Mr Fisher agreed.

As a youth at Everton, Jeffers was tipped for a bright future and caught the eye of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who brought the starlet to Highbury in 2001.

However he failed to live up to his potential after the £10million move and was loaned back to Everton in 2003, followed by spells at a series of clubs including Charlton, Blackburn, Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.

He also had a spell in the Australian leagues playing for Newcastle Jets before returning to Merseyside.

In a 2017 interview with the Telegraph, Jeffers said if he had his time again he would never have left Everton for Arsenal.

He told a reporter: "I didn’t fulfil my potential. That is a fact.

"I don’t have to hide that. I should not have ended up with just one England cap, but for one reason or another… it is all different things.

"Myself, a bit of luck, wrong move at the wrong time, injuries. You can go on. But you know what? I still played for England. If you asked me about that when I was ten…

"It was never going to get any better for me than playing for Everton. I was on the terraces so that was as good as it got. But I’m not blowing smoke up my backside by saying I know I should have done better."