ASHLEY MCGARRIGLE

VAN DRIVER EXCLUDED FROM EX-PARTNER'S HOME VILLAGE AFTER HARASSMENT AND RESTRAINING ORDER BREACHES

A van driver has been subject to an exclusion order that bans him from entering a designated zone near South Hetton, where his former partner lives.

The individual, 27-year-old Ashley McGarrigle, was issued a legal directive by a Newcastle Crown Court judge to stay away from South Hetton for a duration of one year.

This outcome was part of a broader sentencing that included a two-year community order, requiring him to complete 30 probation supervision activity days and adhere to an electronically monitored home curfew from 8 pm to 6 am for five months.

The court also extended his restraining order by an additional five years.

McGarrigle pleaded guilty to charges of intimidation and harassment, which involved instilling fear of violence in another person and breaching a restraining order on four occasions within ten days in February.

Since those events, he has been held on remand at Durham Prison.

The court was informed that McGarrigle and his ex-partner experienced a turbulent relationship from 2015 to 2018, during which he assaulted her twice, leading to the restraining order issued in April 2019.

Judge James Adkin remarked that following nearly four months in custody, imposing an electronically monitored exclusion order was a constructive decision, alerting authorities if he entered the restricted area.

Defense attorney Jane Waugh stated that McGarrigle intended to return to work with a local truck and van firm and would be residing at a friend's house in Hartlepool.

The court's decision to prolong the restraining order by five years aims to safeguard his ex-partner.

The judge highlighted the necessity of tracking McGarrigle's movements to prevent any further incidents of harassment.