Text messages over Christmas breached order

A 47-YEAR-OLD Pork Farms worker was hauled before a district judge for sending two messages over the Christmas break which breached a court order.

Steven Thorburn, of Thorndale Road, Basford, is subject to a non-molestation order not to text, call, intimidate or harass a woman.

It was alleged by the prosecution that Thorburn breached the order between 8.30pm on December 22 and 3.58pm on December 27.

Chris Saunders, representing Thorburn at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, said Thorburn pleaded guilty on the basis of sending texts on December 25 and December 26. He had no knowledge of the order until Christmas Eve and did not make a phone call on December 27, the court was told.

But the prosecution said the basis of plea was not accepted and opposed bail.

District Judge Leo Pyle told the prosecutor: “You will get a written basis of plea very shortly. Someone at your end will review it. Essentially he (the defendant) accepts breaching the order.

“I make the direction I order a pre-sentence report to be prepared and leave all sentencing options available, including committal for sentence and or immediate custody.

“I direct the CPS get an up-to-date personal statement. They review the written basis of plea and they file with the court a copy of the order and produce evidence as to how the order was served.”

The judge adjourned and granted bail to Thorburn until noon on January 28.

Chris Saunders, in mitigation, said fatherof-three Thorburn was a working man and employed at Pork Farms.

He accepts he sent two text messages both over the Christmas period.

“We all know that is an emotional time,” he added.