Jamie Gregory McLennan (40), of Kaitangata, appeared before the Dunedin District Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty after a charge of threatening to kill was downgraded to intimidation.
The court heard the defendant had been drinking before he entered a massage parlour in central Dunedin in the early hours of September 24.
He booked a half-hour session but all did not go to plan.
Halfway through the service, McLennan grew increasingly angry.
Duty lawyer Steve Turner explained the defendant "became frustrated with his impotence".
Worried about his deteriorating behaviour, the sex worker fled the room and a colleague called police.
McLennan remained and could be heard rambling: "I could be the owner of this place. I could buy this place."
As he left the business, he also directed threatening comments at another employee.
"You have no idea, I could f... you up too."
McLennan was arrested nearby.
Judge Emma Smith said despite the lowering of the charge it was still a serious matter.
"The person you intimidated was very vulnerable in that industry and you frightened her desperately," she said.
"She should not have to put up with that in any way ... There’s a great deal of trust in that service."
The judge convicted McLennan and ordered him to pay the victim $300.
The court heard the defendant was last in the dock in 2017 when he was jailed for 18 months on two charges of reckless driving causing injury.
McLennan had put his vehicle into a "drift" in Ward St, crossed the centre line and collided head-on with a vehicle, causing one woman a broken back, and another a split bowel.
