Ammanford man jailed for a flagrant breach of court order (From South Wales Guardian)

Ammanford man jailed for a flagrant breach of court order

1:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

A 40-YEAR-old Ammanford man has been jailed for 12 weeks after showing “a flagrant disregard” for a restraining order banning him from contacting his former partner.

Craig Griffith Jones, of 8 Heol Llwchwr, telephoned Elaine Howells-Bradley and visited her home within hours of the order being imposed on November 14.

Llanelli magistrates were told Jones again turned up at Ms Howells-Bradley’s house during the early hours of December 13.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, said the pair had been in a relationship for seven years before separating, but “a history of abuse between the parties” had led to magistrates imposing a restraining order on Jones, banning him from making any contact with his former partner.

However, within hours of the hearing, Ms Howells- Bradley received a telephone call from Jones asking her where she was.

Soon after, he arrived at her home and began banging on the door. He eventually left, but tried to telephoning again later that day.

The court was also told that Jones appeared at Ms Howells-Bradley’s home shortly after midnight on December 13.

“There was a continuous knocking on the door and she heard a voice shouting her name,” said Mr Davies. “She knew it was him.”

Jones remained outside shouting for a further 15 minutes until Ms Howells- Bradley telephoned the police, who arrested Jones nearby. Following his arrest, Jones claimed he and Ms Howells-Bradley were “in a relationship”.

Cara Young, defending, told magistrates Jones was “alcohol dependent” and that “after the hearing he was under the influence of alcohol”.

“He was frustrated and upset,” she said.

Ms Young claimed that following the first breach Ms Howells-Bradley had contacted Jones “on a daily basis”.

“He felt they had resumed the relationship,” Ms Young said, leading to him visiting her on December 13.

“He realises now that he had no choice but to end the relationship,” she added.

Jones admitted both offences.

“You have pleaded guilty to two breaches, but this is aggravated by the fact that you breached the order on the very day it was made. This is flagrant disregard of the court order,”magistrates told Jones before jailing him for 12 weeks.