Order breached ‘to help victim’
A MAN ignored a ban on contacting his ex to help her after she was the victim of a crime.
Jason Lee admitted breaching his five-year restraining order.
But his solicitor argued that he had a very good reason after his former partner was stolen from.
Prosecutor Vicky Trueman told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court in Huddersfield that the offence occurred at Lee’s previous address in Lockwood.
The 41-year-old was banned from contacting his ex Tannya Phillipson or going to her home by a judge at Leeds Crown Court in May 2014.
But police were called to his home in Lime Street on December 13.
Mrs Trueman said: “They went there because Mr Lee had reported a theft.
“He greeted them and was drunk. Ms Phillipson was also there and in drink and had money missing.
“Lee had rung police but they made checks and found that he was subject of a restraining order not to contact Ms Phillipson made for five years.”
Lee, now of Holme Park Court in Berry Brow, was arrested and gave ‘no comment’ answers throughout his police interview.
Erica Topham, mitigating, explained that Lee’s ex had made her own way to his flat.
She said: “She went to tell him that the monies were missing and was looking towards him to make a decision about what they could do Because they were in drink he said that the best course of action was to ring police.”
Mrs Topham said that her client had “probably lost track of time” as he believed that his restraining order had finished when in fact it lasts until May.
She added: “It’s a breach out of real concern about a person the order was made for.
“It was a single breach with no malice whatsoever. She had gone round to his premises seeking help.”
Magistrates handed Lee a conditional discharge, meaning that he will not be punished if he stays out of trouble for six months. He will have to pay £85 court costs and £20 victim surcharge.