Restraining order breach with emojis

A violent pest has been put behind bars for sending Facebook thumbs-up emojis to an ex he was banned from contacting.

TonyRackstrawwasjailed for 21 months in September last year for attacking his former partner at her home whenhefoundoutshewasin a new relationship.

The 36-year-old, formerly from Sunderland, sent a series of texts before he turned up at the house, where he forcedhiswayinand assaulted the woman.

Rackstraw had threated he would "stab up" the victimandhernewpartner,who wasalsothere,duringtheterrifying confrontation.

At Newcastle Crown Court,Rackstrawwasgivena restrainingordertokeephim away from the victim.

But Prosecutor Tom Mitchell told the court: "Following his release he didn't honour that order.

"At 5.43am on January 31, 2021, the defendant sent a Facebook message with a thumbs-up emoji.

"He did the same again at 10.42pmonSaturday,February 6, 2021."

The court heard the victim said in an impact statement she is "frightened of Tony"andwasleftfeeling anxiousbytheemojis.

She added: "I am very worried thingswillescalate again.”

Nick Peacock, defending, said Rackstraw "couldn't cope" with the relationship breakdownandsuffershardship in prison due to being a double leg amputee.

"He doesn't leave his cell all day."

Mr Recorder Sam Green QC sentenced Rackstraw to 10 weeks behind bars.

Rackstraw,nowofAycliffe Crescent, Springwell, Gateshead,admittedtwobreaches of the restraining order.