Preston abuser with indefinite restraining order jailed again for breaching it

Robert Young, 34, of Westbrook Crescent, Ingol, Preston, was subject to an indefinite restraining order after he had previously been jailed for two years for assault, witness intimidation and coercive, controlling behaviour towards her

He was then jailed again for 18 months for breaching the restraining order.

But Preston Crown Court heard a short time after his release from that sentence, in July this year, the woman felt "distressed and trapped" when Young walked into her home in Preston.

Prosecuting, David Clarke said: " She explains there had been a relationship for 18 months which she describes as abusive and controlling.

"At around 1.45pm she was at home when she heard the front door open.

"The defendant came in through the hallway and went to the living room.

"He was standing next to her saying to her: 'What the f*** are you doing?'

"She told him in no uncertain terms to get out and was concerned for her safety.

"He said he'd seen 'those d***heads leave' and that referred to a family support worker visiting her moments before.

"He went on to say 'If I can't have you nobody else can.'

"She was fearful of the matter escalating and acknowledges she did preemptively strike the defendant once to the face.

"As he left he warned her to watch her windows and threatened to call social services. He was waving at her in an intimidatory way and continued to watch her from a nearby street."

The court heard he also sent her neighbour a text message claiming she was on drugs, and saying: "Just watch out for her next door she not a nice lady". (sic)

Defending, Mr Scott told the court his victim had asked him to go round because she needed money for electricity, gas and food.

He said: "As normally happens when he goes round, the matter escalated and he was arrested."

Judge Philip Parry, sentencing, said: "The Crown Court and magistrates courts are fed up of seeing you before the court for breaching this order.

"I told you last June to stay away from her and you didn't, and it's landed you in hot water again.

"You treat the place as your own and almost inevitably, almost as sure as night follows day, when you two are together things go wrong.

"If you keep this up you will keep coming back to court and I'll just keep sending you to prison."