Man breached order not to contact ex after she turned up at his home

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, February 23, how Ashley Lancaster, 28, of Buxton Road, Bakewell, was visited by his ex despite the fact that he had been given an order not to contact her.

Prosecuting solicitor Ian Shaw said: “Mr Lancaster was given a non-molestation order in January which runs for a period of 12 months and he has been prohibited from approaching his ex-partner.

“However, the reality of this situation is that she approached him and this put him in the situation he is in.

“Police had been called about an alleged assault which his ex-partner explained was not correct.

“The couple had separated last year and there had been difficulties which led to the order but she had lost her accommodation at her place of work and Lancaster’s address was the only place she could stay.”

The court heard how Lancaster had wanted his ex to go, according to Mr Shaw, but she was in tears and said she had no where to live and he agreed to let her stay temporarily.

However, police responded to an allegation of assault after she had arrived but the ex said she had not been assaulted.

Lancaster pleaded guilty to breaching the non-molestation order after he had agreed to let his ex stay with him between February 19 and 22 which he was prohibited from doing.

Defence solicitor Felicity Coats said: “This offence was not born out of violence. The order had initially been requested by social services to deal with contact with children.

“His ex-partner didn’t abide by the conditions and as soon as things got difficult she went to his address.

“He didn’t want to let her in but he did and told her it would be temporary.”

Magistrates sentenced Lancaster to a 12 month conditional discharge warning that he would be re-sentenced for the order breach if he committed any further offences.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.