A SKIPTON man who had a five-year restraining order imposed in 2018 after harassing his former partner, has had the restriction extended for another five years.

Vincent Hawkins, 45, of North Parade, appeared before Skipton magistrates for sentencing having pleaded guilty on March 30 to the breach in which he entered an area that was within 100 metres of an address in Simbach Close, Skipton.

Vincent Hawkins, 45, of North Parade, was also told that the complainant, an ex partner, had requested the boundary be extended to include ‘that portion of North Parade which is north of Pinhaw Road’.

Hawkins, represented by Keith Blackwell, argued that this would stop him being able to access a gate which allowed him to take his dog up to the moor.

Prosecuting, Nadine Clough, presenting the revised restraining order, said on March 28 the complainant was walking her own dog near her address and had noticed Bellamy with his dog opposite her address.

“She said she just wanted to be able to get on with her life and wanted him to leave her alone and wanted him to stick to the restraining order,” said Ms Clough.

Mr Blackwell said his client was in the area because he had attended the address of a friend whom he had loaned some tools.

“He had no intention of confronting or contacting the complainant and had gone to recover some tools from someone’s house. That’s how he became to be in the vicinity,” said Mr Blackwell. “The order was placed on him in 2018 and he has done his best to avoid breaching it.

“As far as he is concerned he has no wish to do anything to rekindle the relationship,” he said, adding, that there was a ‘multiplicity of difficulties which need addressing’ and asked the bench not to consider custody as it would not be in the interests of justice due to mental health issues.

Magistrates were shown pre-sentence reports which had been prepared following Hawkins’ guilty plea, in March.

They told Hawkins that while the offence crossed the custody threshold they would instead hand down a community order as a direct alternative to custody.

“If you breach the requirement or fail to comply you will be brought back and the next bench would consider prison,” the chairman of the bench told Hawkins.

They ordered he be subject to a 12 month community order and carry out 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £95.

The crown prosecution service asked for £85 costs.

He was told the restraining order would be extended to expire in 2028. Also, he must not contact the complainant either directly or indirectly and must adhere to the new boundary despite not being able to access the moor.