WREXHAM MAN HANDED COMMUNITY ORDER FOR BREACHING RESTRAINING ORDER BY CALLING EX ON CHRISTMAS DAY
A WREXHAM man has been handed a community order for breaching a restraining order by calling his ex-partner on Christmas Day.Christopher Derek Jones, of Crispin Lane, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday.The 29-year-old admitted that he breached a restraining order on two dates - the first being Christmas Day in 2020 and then on January 27.Adam Warner, prosecuting, told the court the order was made in October last year prohibiting him from contacting or approaching his former partner Kirsty Harley.The complainant said she received a number of calls from an unknown number on December 25.She answered one and recognised Jones' voice as he was 'professing his love for her'.
Despite being reminded a restraining order remained in place he made five calls in all.
Then in January the complainant received a Facebook message from him asking if he could call her.
Police seized his phone the next day and verified he had made the Christmas Day calls.Melissa Griffiths, defending, said: "He accepts he shouldn't have made any contact with her at all.
He said at the time, he had been drinking - when he's thinking clearly he doesn't do silly things like phoning her up.
None of [the communications] involve any threats.
There's been no further contact since January 27.
He doesn't wish to have any further contact with this lady.
He is trying to sort himself out - he's recently been given a job and he's hoping to be able to arrange his own accommodation."Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court Jones had displayed good compliance and cooperation in his work with the probation service to date.
He said: "He seems remorseful for his behaviour.
It appears he does have a problem with binge drinking." Mr Connah added a recommendation of an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement, which he said may help the defendant overcome his difficulties.Ian Hughes, chair of the Magistrates, told Jones: "You say you're not going to contact that person again, and you've got yourself a good job.
We are going to give you the opportunity to turn your life around.
Whether you take it is entirely up to you." The magistrates handed down a 12 month community order with 120 days of alcohol monitoring.
The restraining order was extended by 12 months and Jones was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
