Sheriff jails lout after he flouted court ban by pestering his ex
Drug addict with 24 convictions is back behind bars
An nuisance yob has been caged for repeatedly pestering his ex-girlfriend – despite court orders banning him from going near her.
Barry Staniforth, 47, sparked fear and anger for his former partner Gillian Reid when he traipsed into her property without her permission.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard addict Staniforth, who has racked up 24 previous convictions for violence and breaking his bail conditions, was lifted by the police after he was caught bothering Ms Reid at her home in Merlinford Drive, Renfrew, on September 16.
Procurator fiscal depute Sobia
Kidd said: “Ms Reid contacted police to inform them that Staniforth had entered her home address.
“Police arrived at the address and they observed him at the property.
“They approached him and informed him he was under arrest for breaching his bail. He was cautioned and charged, but made no reply.”
Yesterday, Staniforth, formerly of Sandholes Street in the town’s west end, appeared from custody where he pleaded guilty to charges of breaking his home detention curfew and entering the home address of Ms Reid, despite being banned from approaching or contacting her.
He also admitted committing these offences while out on bail from Paisley Sheriff Court.
Defence agent Tony Callahan said Staniforth, who has been blighted by an addiction to street Valium and heroin, was adamant the relationship was over, and that his client would have no further contact with her.
He said: “It was a toxic relationship. They were both struggling with drug addiction and mental health issues. But, while in custody, he has had time to detox from substances and think clearly about his future.
“He wants to get his own tenancy and tells me he will stay away from her, that their relationship is finished for good, and I would ask the court to consider releasing him on bail.”
However, Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill tore a strip off the accused for his repeated flouting of court orders banning him from contacting his ex.
She said: “You have 24 previous convictions for offences such as assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement, assault to severe injury, as well as five for domestically aggravated offences and breaches of bail.
“You say it is a toxic relationship. You have been in a relationship with this lady for more than ten years and I don’t believe for a minute that this relationship is over because you have spent quite a lot of time in her company.”
She handed Staniforth four months in jail.