PAUL ASHLEY

MAN JAILED FOR BREACHING ORDER AGAINST EX-PARTNER

Paul Ashley, aged 45, was handed a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years in June after a violent assault on his ex-partner in which he punched and kicked her before striking her head against a wall, causing a concussion and memory loss.

Shrewsbury Crown Court was told that the relationship had been marked by repeated instances of domestic violence, including common assault, actual bodily harm, and stalking.

These offences had previously led to the imposition of a restraining order.

However, within weeks of avoiding immediate custody, Ashley breached that order by contacting his ex on three occasions between 30 June and 2 July.

The court heard that during these calls, he demanded she book a taxi for him, and on another occasion, sang "Happy Birthday" down the phone.

Prosecutor Simon Parry stated that Ashley, while on speakerphone in the presence of the complainant’s support worker, said: “I’m putting my life on the line,” acknowledging he was violating the terms of his suspended sentence.

The court also heard that Ashley had amassed 22 convictions across 28 offences, including breaches of conditional discharges, community orders, and non-molestation orders.

In a statement read aloud in court, the victim said Ashley continued to leave her feeling "fearful" and described the emotional toll his behaviour had taken.

“He turns up at my home, calls me cruel names.

It makes me feel upset and worthless,” she wrote.

“I want to be free of him and get on with my life.” She also said she recognised his manipulative behaviour and described feeling like she had been “living a nightmare,” financially exploited to fund his drinking and smoking.

“He would get it out of me,” she added.

Defence barrister Paul Smith argued that there had been contact from both parties and that it occurred over a brief period.

“The defendant’s name is saved as ‘My love’ in her phone,” he said.

“So it’s not entirely one-sided, although it is still a breach.

The contact happened on three separate occasions.

“If she had him saved as ‘My love’ and made initial contact, that might qualify as a reasonable excuse.

“While the complainant recounts his historical conduct, the court must deal with the specifics of the current case—mutual communication about booking a taxi.

There are, however, aggravating factors.” He stressed there were no threats or acts of violence during the recent contact and suggested the suspended sentence had acted as a “short, sharp shock.” Recorder Julian Taylor told the court that Ashley would receive an immediate custodial sentence, comprising separate terms for both the breach and the activation of his previously suspended sentence.

“These breaches, while not the most serious in themselves, happened just weeks after the suspended sentence was imposed,” he said.

“You were also under a restraining order and contacted her three times.

You claim she contacted you, but I remain unconvinced.

“I’ve read her statement.

She says it’s left her frightened, depressed, and feeling worthless.

She’s had to move to stay away from you.

You manipulated her financially.

She paid for everything.

“While I accept the probation service’s assessment, these are clear and serious breaches and must be dealt with accordingly.” Ashley, of Thompsons Drive, Whitchurch, was sentenced to 12 months in custody six months for breaching the restraining order and a further six months for triggering the suspended sentence.

Recorder Taylor concluded: “Comply, or you will find yourself serving longer and longer prison sentences.”