Horse rides land banned ex in the cart

A MAN banned from going within 100 metres of his ex’s house breached a court order by riding his horse and cart past her home.

Robert Galbraith rode the animal just yards from where his former partner was living on a busy road in Throckley, Newcastle, on four occasions within a fortnight.

The 31-year-old was banned from going within 100m of the woman’s house when he was given a 12-month non-molestation order in September last year.

North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that he managed to abide by the rules of that order until June 15, when he was first seen by the victim to ride his horse and cart along Ponteland Road near her home and “make eye contact” with her as she sat in her garden.

Then, on three further occasions within the next 14 days, Galbraith did the same thing until he was reported to the police.

Galbraith, of Hugh Gardens, Benwell, admitted four counts of breaching a non-molestation order.

The victim said she believed Galbraith had “disregard” for the court order and it wouldn’t stop him doing the same in the future.

“Upon seeing him, I became uncomfortable and scared that I could not be in my own garden and be safe,” she told the court in a statement. “As soon as I saw him, I had to retreat into my own home.”

The court heard that Galbraith denied slowing the horse and staring at the victim.

District Judge Paul Currer gave Galbraith a 12-month restraining order, which bans him from entering Ponteland Road or contacting the victim, and ordered him to pay a £34 victim surcharge.