A MAN who breached a court-imposed restraining order for the fourth time in seven months has received a further four-month stretch behind bars.

Kieran Wynn was made subject of the order, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching an ex-partner for five years, in September 2020, when he was jailed for ten months at Durham Crown Court for four counts of battery, possessing an offensive weapon and harassment.

It related to attack on her and two of her friends, in Ferryhill, in July 2020.

Chris Morrison, prosecuting, told the court Wynn has served subsequent short spells behind bars, including two for failing to comply with the restraining order, for two breaches in June last year, and one in September 2021.

Mr Morrison said while on post-prison licence release he attended her home in shared supported accommodation, in Ferryhill, on February 3, and another resident recalled him still being there the following day, as he asked her if anyone had been there looking for him.

She said “no” and declined his offer to share a line of cocaine as she had to go to work.

Concerned over his presence, as he was, “well-known in the area”, it was reported to police and Wynn was arrested.

The 28-year-old defendant, formerly of Chilton, admitted the latest breach when he appeared before magistrates last month.

His case was sent for sentence to the crown court.

The court heard it was his fourth breach of the order in eight months.

Mr Morrison said: “He clearly flouted the order from the moment he was released and it’s persistent, in that he appears to have been staying at the address.”

Read more: Assaults came amid harassment of 'ex' in Ferryhill, in July

But Mr Morrison said the woman the order was supposed to protect was not in support of the prosecution of Wynn or the order, itself.

Mr Morrison added: “He has a compendious record, for numerous offences, including burglary, larceny and using counterfeit currency.”

Ashleigh Leach, in mitigation, said there was no harm caused by the breach.

“He fully accepts being at the property on February 4.

“He was there as he was invited to do so.”

Miss Leach said the woman who is the subject of the order considers she and Wynn remain in a relationship.

“She never sought to have a restraining order in the first place and has made an application to discharge the order and is awaiting a court date for that to be heard.”

Miss Leach added that the order had been, “frustrating for both of them.”

Recorder Simon Goldberg said as the order, at the moment, still remains in place, it was, therefore, “a persistent breach”.

He imposed a four-month prison sentence, having been told that, in any event, Wynn has been recalled to prison to serve the unexpired portion of his previous sentence, which does not expire until June.

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