A MAN who breached a suspended prison term he received for harassing and assaulting his ex has been given one last chance by a judge.
David Johnathan Bailey, 39, was originally sentenced for his offending in July last year.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how Bailey had “bombarded” Alyson Hetherington with messages between February and July of 2017, and – the previous summer – punched her to the face and arms, causing bruising.
During the harassment, Bailey had posted on Facebook that he “felt a Raoul Moat coming on” in a chilling reference to the killer gunman who shot dead the partner of his own former girlfriend.
Having admitted harassment and an actual bodily harm assault, Bailey had a 26-week jail term suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete a night-time curfew and 120 hours’ unpaid work.
But he was back at the crown court today (THURS) having admitted breaching that sentence by failing both to attend two unpaid work sessions, and provide explanations for those absences.
Bailey had been “beset by transport difficulties” which prevented him travelling from his home in rural Great Asby to community service. But his barrister told the court he had now been offered a loan to buy a car and ensure he could complete the remaining hours.
Recorder David Potter opted not to jail Bailey, instead imposing 14 extra unpaid work hours and £150 costs. Recorder Potter said: “You have come, David Bailey, very close to the wire indeed for you having that suspended sentence activated, and activated in full.”
