BLACKBURN MAN JAILED FOR BREACHING RESTRAINING ORDER AFTER EX-PARTNER CONTACTED HIM
A blind man named Jason Cocker has been jailed for 42 weeks after breaching a restraining order.Cocker was previously handed a 68-week suspended sentence and a five-year restraining order in November 2022 after pleading guilty to charges including theft, possession of a bladed article, stalking, and sending threatening messages.
Despite complying with the sentence and order for over 12 months, things fell apart in December of the previous year when his ex-partner contacted him multiple times, including turning up at his house and a pub, which violated his restraining order.
Prosecutor Rachel Oakdene explained that Cocker was contacted by his former partner, who had 'many questions about what happened in their relationship,' and suggested the possibility of reconciliation which could have led to the removal of the order.
The contact lasted about four days before it became clear their relationship would not continue, and the restraining order was still in effect.
On New Year’s Day, she showed up at his house distressed, and he responded with a hug, which he later admitted was a mistake.
The contact between them persisted, including attendance at a concert he purchased tickets for, despite her stating she wouldn’t go.
In February, Cocker made nine phone calls to his ex-partner over three days, including a voicemail accusing her of trying to get him into trouble with the police, highlighting his emotional distress and vulnerability due to his recent blindness diagnosis.
He was arrested on February 20 and remanded into custody.
Cocker pleaded guilty to breaching his suspended sentence and restraining order and was sentenced to 42 weeks in prison.
The original restraining order remains in force.
