JONATHAN BENNETT

DARLINGTON MAN JAILED FOR REPEATEDLY FLOUTING RESTRAINING ORDER BY MESSAGING 'EX'

A man named Jonathan Bennett, also known as Kitson, continued to contact his former partner in breach of a restraining order issued by Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court in June of the previous year.

Despite the order forbidding any form of contact, he started messaging her about a week afterwards, and this behavior persisted for nearly ten months.

Most of his messages were remorseful, apologizing and claiming he had changed, but the tone escalated, culminating in a threatening message directed at her new partner.

The woman described the contact as "unwanted" and "stressful," adding, "I’m sick of living my life under threat from him." When arrested, Bennett made no comment.

He admitted to seven breaches of the restraining order at Durham Crown Court, on the day of his trial in June, after previously denying the offenses.

The court revealed that Bennett has 23 convictions for 42 offenses, including breaches of a suspended sentence order.

The breaches involving his ex-partner were described as persistent, stretching from June last year into spring this year.

The judge activated six months of a previously suspended 12-month sentence, resulting in a total of 12 months imprisonment, and imposed a new restraining order for two years.

Bennett addressed the court, expressing remorse and a desire to move on with his life, while the judge emphasized the importance of deterrence.

The court also noted that the original restraining order was only for one year and sought to extend it.

The incident reflected the seriousness of his breaching behavior, especially given his previous criminal history.