Thirsk man jailed for witness intimidation of ex-partner

Aaron Telford turned up at the woman’s Thirsk home despite being banned from contacting her due to the terms of his bail conditions.

Teesside Crown Court heard how police were called by a concerned neighbour when they heard screaming and shouting coming from inside the victim’s home.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said when police arrived at the scene, they discovered the woman sitting in her car in a distressed state after Telford was barred from contacting her in March through a domestic violence protection order.

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“She was anxious and agitated,” he said. “Officers carried out a check at the address and she became more anxious and agitated, fearing that he would blame her for the police coming.

“The officers found Telford and immediately she said she didn’t call the police. He told her he would bray her and was calling her a ‘div’.”

Mr Soppitt said Telford then attempted to persuade her to drop the charges against him and all of his behaviour was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera.

He said the incident happened in front of their young child but the victim maintains that the child was never in any danger from the defendant.

The court heard how the 29-year-old had previous convictions including ones associated with domestic violence.

Telford, of Hambleton Place, Thirsk, pleaded guilty to witness intimidation following his arrest on June 17 this year.

Nicholas Askins, mitigating, said the witness intimidation wasn’t the most serious to come before a court.

He added: “If could be fairly described as putting pressure on the lady to save his own skin.”

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Judge Chris Smith jailed the 29-year-old to 14-months in custody after raising concerns about his history of serious behaviour in a domestic setting.

He added: “You were trying to get a witness to withdraw a statement and bringing to end the judicial process.

“That behaviour strikes at the heart of our system.

“If that was allowed cases would collapse and that would be dreadful for society as whole.”