THOMAS LAVILL TERRORIZES TELFORD WITH REPEATED RESTRAINING ORDER BREACHES AND VIOLENCE

A man from Telford, Thomas Lavill, has been sentenced to prison after repeatedly violating a court-imposed restraining order that was put in place following a violent assault on his former partner. The incident highlights ongoing issues of domestic violence and the challenges of enforcing court orders to protect victims.

Lavill, aged 41, had previously been convicted of grievous bodily harm after assaulting his partner, which resulted in her suffering a broken cheekbone. Despite this, he continued to attempt contact with her, breaching the restraining order on four separate occasions within just a few days of his court appearance. These breaches occurred despite the court's clear instructions and the serious nature of his previous conviction.

The court proceedings took place at Shrewsbury Crown Court, where Judge Peter Barrie presided over the case. Lavill was initially given a suspended prison sentence, but his repeated violations led to a harsher sentence. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with an additional year of supervision following his release. The judge emphasized that Lavill’s persistent attempts to contact his ex-partner had caused her significant distress and had contributed to the breakdown of their relationship, which was already strained due to the previous violence.

Lavill’s breaches included approaching his former partner on multiple occasions, despite the restraining order that was still in effect until February 2019. The court heard that just eight days after the restraining order was issued on February 19 of the previous year, Lavill approached his ex-partner as she was exiting her vehicle. The woman, frightened by his actions, retreated into her car and immediately contacted the police. Lavill was subsequently arrested for this breach.

In addition to the breaches, Lavill was also found to be in possession of cannabis, which contributed to the additional one-month sentence added to his original suspended sentence. Prior to this, he had been sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work on May 24, but he continued to harass his ex-partner by making phone calls to her on May 26 and June 1, further demonstrating his disregard for the court’s orders.

Lavill, who has lived in Dudmaston, Hollinswood, and formerly resided on Sweet Chestnut Grove, The Rock, admitted to the offences. His actions have underscored the importance of strict enforcement of restraining orders and the ongoing risks faced by victims of domestic violence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and robust legal measures to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders.