Domestic abuser avoids jail after breaking restraining order

A man from Royal Wootton Bassett has received a suspended sentence after breaching a restraining order. Richard Pullen, aged 46, of Station Road, called a woman whom he was legally prohibited from contacting on December 14 in the town. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, meaning if he commits any other offenses within that period, he will serve the sentence in custody. He is also required to pay £85 in costs plus £128 to victim services. The court had previously given Pullen a restraining order on September 8 last year after he admitted to causing actual bodily harm and a malicious communications offence. The court heard that he attacked his former partner and refused to let her leave his flat in April 2020 after she expressed her desire to go home to her daughter. She managed to call her daughter, who then called 999. While on bail, Pullen left abusive voicemails containing offensive racist slurs for the victim.