A man broke a restraining order by contacting his ex after they rekindled their romance, leading to his imprisonment.
Gethin Howells, 38, went to her home on New Year’s Eve. He was drunk and threw rocks, targeting her window. He had received 18 months in jail back in 2023 for assault, threats, and suffocation. After being released in December, the restraining order began.
The court heard that they got back together in June 2024, while the order was still active. Things escalated on New Year’s Eve when Howells went to the pub, skipping spending the night with her and her children.
The prosecutor, Abdallah Barakat, described how Howells arrived drunk early on January 1 and yelled her name, prompting her to ask him to leave. Her child was sleeping. He banged on her door for five minutes, demanding his belongings back, which left her feeling scared.
She opened the door and handed him his items, but Howells forced his way inside. She reiterated that he should depart, and he eventually did. However, he returned the next day, throwing stones at her bedroom windows and shouting her name while calling from a private number.
Police arrested him later. The woman felt shaken and feared what he might do. Howells, who has no permanent address, admitted to harassment and violating the order. He has five past convictions, including three for violence against her.
His lawyer, Adam Sharp, stated Howells Initially followed the order, but recently lost both parents. He also acknowledged Howells’ problems with alcohol and cannabis, noting he abstained from alcohol while incarcerated.
Judge Celia Hughes delivered the sentence, deeming it a clear violation. She sentenced Howells to 12 months in jail.
