ALPENA — Threatening texts sent to his victim’s family the morning of his sentencing hearing meant a trip back to jail for a man who admitted to stealing from an older man’s home.

In August, Randall Williams, 32, of Ossineke, pleaded guilty to larceny in a building. A charge of second degree home invasion was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

In Alpena’s 26th Circuit Court, Judge Ed Black on Monday postponed Williams’ sentencing when Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski showed Black texts she said Williams sent to his victim’s family members that morning, in violation of a no-contact order.

The sentencing was delayed until October, but family members of a man with whom Williams lived in Ossineke told Black that the defendant verbally and physically abused the 63-year-old man, who they said has early signs of dementia.

They said Williams threatened to burn the man’s house down, burned and destroyed family heirlooms, and preyed on the man’s fading memory to continue harassing him.

Because Williams broke his no-contact order, Black revoked Williams’ bond and reset his sentencing for Oct. 3.

As he was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs, Williams yelled at the victim’s relatives, claiming he had helped their family.