‘If I don’t punish you I’d be failing in my duty’

JUDGE Anthony Cross QC explained that he gave Toni Flynn a chance after being ‘persuaded you would benefit from the intervention of the probation service, to avoid the risk of re-offending and aid your rehabilitation’. He said: “I gave you the opportunity because I was persuaded by them, and by submissions from your barrister, that it was a risk worth taking. “When I passed sentence I couldn’t have made it clearer that I was giving you a chance. “On that occasion, I imposed a restraining order and I made it perfectly plain any breach would be met with custodial consequences. “You failed to take the opportunity I gave you.” He added: “You have demonstrated to me and to the public that you cannot take the chances offered to you. And if I don’t punish you, I would be failing in my duty to the victims of your offending and the public. “You have demonstrated you simply cannot be trusted. Your record is littered with breaches of court orders. “The time has come for you to learn your lesson, and you will learn that lesson in jail. “Previously, you have been subjected to short sentences, measured by weeks. This sentence will be measured by years. “The breach of the restraining order took place against two vulnerable victims in their home. They are serious offences. “I am satisfied that your repeated behaviour towards your family is such that you caused them serious emotional harm. “This was a deliberate breach and I am satisfied this is an offence for which a custodial sentence must follow. “The time has come for you to learn your lesson. You must start to understand that if you carry on as you are, longer and longer custodial sentences will follow you. “Now your family can rest easily in their own home for a period of time, knowing at least that whilst you return to custody they will be free from your attentions.”