A Welshpool man has avoided prison after he breached a restraining order by contacting his ex-girlfriend, saying that he loved her, which he was banned from doing.
Callum Williams, aged 33, admitted phoning and texting Bonnie Franklin on several occasions during 2021 and 2022 which she said left her "constantly on edge".
Williams, of Mill Place, Brook Street, was given the indefinite restraining order by Mold Crown Court in April 2019.
Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told on Tuesday (March 12) that the victim received texts on Halloween (October 31) in 2021 from a phone number she knew was Williams' telling her "I love you so much. Move over, Colin. Big man's in town". He continued to contact her until November 25, 2021.
Williams next made contact the following year in 2022 on September 20, October 22, and between November 2 and 23.
The victim told the court through an impact statement read out by the prosecutor Helen Tench that the unwanted text messages "got me constantly on edge" and was making her mental health worse. She added: "He was already messing my life up. I want him to stop contacting me."
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Robert Hanratty, acting on behalf of Williams, told the court that the messages were sparked after the victim signalled the end of the relationship with the "vulnerable" Welshpool man.
"On the day of the crown court hearing, she was waiting for him at home," Mr Hanratty said.
"There has been no contact between them for 15 months. That’s a significant time.
"This is a case of some antiquity and I commend the author of the pre-sentence report."
Magistrates handed Williams a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, for breaching the restraining order. He must attend 25 rehabilitation requirement days and pay £85 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
Chair of the magistrates' bench Dr Rachel Jones told Williams: "This has crossed the custody threshold; there was repeated contact, it was in a domestic situation and we note your previous convictions.
"However, we do believe there is room for rehabilitation, so we are going to go along with the probation service’s report.
"This is hanging over your head for two years. You will have to be careful."
Dr Jones added: "We say no compensation to the victim because we think the situation will be worse.
"No more contact, regardless. Stay away from social media because that seems to be the bottom of the contact."
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