STALKER BREACHED ORDER AND SAID HE WOULD DO IT AGAIN
A man from Bolton repeatedly breached a restraining order and told officers he had no regard for it.Benjamin Greenhalgh, 29, who has no fixed address, had previously been prohibited from visiting the victim’s home after being convicted of stalking in May last year.
He was convicted of breaching the order in June, but went on to flout it again on multiple occasions towards the end of 2024 including threatening to “burn the house down”.
Greenhalgh appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday, 7 January, to be sentenced for his most recent breaches.
Prosecutor Bradley Mather told the court: “The victim had been in a relationship with the defendant for several months in 2021.
They reconciled briefly in 2024 for one to two months.
They have a child together.
“On 16 May, the defendant was convicted of stalking and received an eight-week custodial sentence.
A restraining order was issued, preventing any form of contact and banning him from entering the street where she lives.” Greenhalgh violated the order on 20 June and was later released on licence.
Mr Mather continued: “On 29 November, the defendant sent the victim a text message saying, ‘I am tired of this life, I am asking to see the children.’” This marked the beginning of repeated contact, including texts, calls, and voice notes, during which he asked to see their children and requested food, stating he was homeless.
“There were also threats during this time,” Mr Mather said.
“For example, he said he would ‘burn the house down.’” The harassment continued until 3 December, when he messaged the victim saying he was nearby.
He followed this with a phone call stating his intention to come to her address.
She checked her Ring doorbell and saw Greenhalgh outside for approximately one minute before he walked away.
Following further threatening calls in which Greenhalgh expressed suicidal thoughts, the victim contacted police and disclosed the breaches.
He was located at a woman’s property, where officers found him hiding under a bed.
He was arrested and admitted to the breach during police interview.
Mr Mather told the court: “He stated he would continue to breach the restraining order upon release, saying he didn’t care about it.” In a personal statement read in court, the victim described the wider impact of his actions.
“My eldest knows what is going on, and my youngest is always seeing police because it’s always his dad,” she said.
“He asks about his dad and I have to explain what’s happening.” The court heard Greenhalgh has 33 previous convictions for 59 offences, including a history of violating restraining orders—one involving a different former partner.
He pleaded guilty to the latest breach.
The victim was present in court and, despite the ongoing issues, indicated she did not wish to extend the restraining order, hoping to facilitate contact between their son and Greenhalgh.
Defence barrister Jane Dagnall said: “This is a court order.
Whatever the discussions between him and his ex-partner, it is still a legal order—and he has a pattern of breaching it.
“There’s a real difficulty with a young boy who wants to see his father.” She also highlighted Greenhalgh’s unstable living situation, noting his lack of a permanent address.
During mitigation, Greenhalgh interrupted proceedings via video link from HMP Forest Bank.
He said: “My mental health is bad.
I’ve been attacked in prison, and I haven’t left my cell for a month.
“I’ve slashed my hands completely my barrister has seen it.” Judge Nicholas Clarke KC instructed Ms Dagnall to liaise with Greenhalgh’s solicitors so that his concerns could be raised with the prison.
She added: “The defendant was on strong antidepressants before, but when he arrived at prison, his medication was stopped.
“He’s not been prescribed any alternative, and things have gone downhill since.” Sentencing Greenhalgh, Judge Clarke said: “This offence was committed while you were on licence.
“Your attitude has been consistently poor you’ve refused to accept the order and even stated your intention to breach it.” He handed down a 12-month custodial sentence, concluding: “I hope you receive the care and support you need to complete your sentence and prepare for release.”
