A man who flouted a restraining order by sending his ex-partner a photograph of a cat has been jailed for the latest in a long line of breaches.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today that 56-year-old Andrew McClements had been a chronic alcoholic for many years.
McClements was subject to a restraining order through which he was forbidden to get in touch with a former partner.
But on three separate dates — in December, 2020, and in July and October this year — he made unwanted contact.
He first sent her a photo of a cat over WhatsApp. And, having joined an online dating site which she also used, he sent her two messages — the first referring to a nickname he used for her and a second which read: “Fancy meeting up?”
The woman later said of McClements: “I don’t want anything to do with him.”
When quizzed about his criminal conduct, McClements replied: “I just pressed the button. I shouldn’t have.”
He admitted three restraining order breaches — had numerous others on his criminal record — and was sentenced to six months’ immediate imprisonment by Judge Nicholas Barker.
Kim Whittlestone, defending, said McClements, of Derwent Street, Cockermouth, was an electrician by trade who was determined to mend his ways. “They are messages sent when lonely and in drink,” she said of his latest offending.
Appearing over a video link from custody, McClements told Judge Barker: “I’m sorry, Your Honour.”
The judge had told him while passing sentence: “What is clear is that for years you have demonstrated a persistence towards harassing individuals who you have been in a relationship with.”
