A Penrith man who left his ex-partner terrified after making an illegal late night visit to her home — despite being banned from going near the address — has been jailed for six months.
Christopher McKenzie, 37, was barred by a judge from having any contact with the woman for five years in March last year. McKenzie had assaulted his ex in the kitchen of her own home, pushing and grabbing her after losing his temper during a row.
But he ignored the legal order just before midnight on June 7 when he went to an address in Keswick where a male friend of the woman answered her door.
There had been no direct contact between McKenzie and the woman. But as McKenzie was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today for breaching the restraining order, Judge Nicholas Barker observed: “In a witness statement she describes being terrified as a result of this defendant appearing.”
She had also spoken of being anxious and distressed by her former partner’s illegal activity.
The court heard of his bad record for similar offending with previous convictions relating to the same complainant at the same house.
There were previous restraining order breaches and other past offences in his record including disorderly behaviour and harassment. More recently he had been put on the sex offenders’ register for exposing himself in a Penrith graveyard.
Marion Weir, defending, said McKenzie accepted his past abuse of alcohol and consequential offending was something he needs to deal with.
McKenzie, of Albert Street, Penrith, was apologetic for his latest offence, added the lawyer.
Jailing him for six months, Judge Barker said: “You must understand she wishes to be protected from you. It is important you abide by the terms of this restraining order so she can get on with her her life.”
