Sunderland man described by a judge as an 'annoyance' jailed for breaching restraining order for FIFTH time

Graham Powell is banned from having any contact with the woman or from attending her home under the terms of a restraining order.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard the 44-year-old, who was given the order last May, breached the ban for a fifth time when he turned up at her house in Sunderland in June.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court the victim was not at home at the time but Powell asked a relative who was there to contact her by phone, which he did.

Mr Wardlaw added: "She made it clear in no uncertain terms she didn't want to speak to him and he wasn't allowed into the address.

"The defendant was told that and walked off."

Alec Burns, defending, said Powell is an alcoholic but has been alcohol free while on remand in custody and wants to "prove himself" by beating his problem in future.

Mr Burns said Powell, of Cairo Street, Sunderland, plans to move away from the city when he is released from custody and wants to settle elsewhere in the hope it will help him remain alcohol free.

Judge Christopher Prince jailed Powell for eight months.

The judge told Powell he is an "annoyance" and added: "Victims have to know when courts make orders people will be forced to comply with them."

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