A MAN has been fined after breaching a restraining order and embarrassing his ex-wife on social media.
Daniel Burns, of Fron Park Mews in Holywell, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The 46-year-old admitted that on August 11, he published posts which were directed towards complainant Jane McMurray on social media, which he was prohibited from doing by a restraining order.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court the restraining order - imposed by Caernarfon Crown Court in November - arose after the defendant was convicted of having assaulted her.
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The complainant contacted North Wales Police after finding out Burns had posted an image and other general posts which she said she was extremely embarrassed by.
Numerous people had approached her about a claim in the social media posts that she'd been given £50,000 with regards to the financial agreement as part of hers and the defendant's divorce.
David Matthews, defending, said once his client was released from custody after his conviction, he "made it his business to studiously avoid" his ex-partner.
"But at the same time they were going through acrimonious divorce proceedings," he explained.
"As part of those, Mr Burns was ordered to make a payment of £50,000, in lieu of Ms McMurray's share in the former matrimonial home.
"Mr Burns struggled to find the £50,000 - he passed a hat around his family and eventually got it together just before the deadline."
Following the payment of the sum to the complainant, he went on social media and posted an image of a man's hands in cuffs, breaking free with words to the effect of "I'm well out of this now," and a reference to the £50,000.
Mr Matthews said it was understood the post had caused the complainant embarrassment, as she owed money to another family member.
He said while the reference was "oblique," his client had technically breached the order - even if the restrictions were not set out "in the clearest terms understandable by the man in the street."
Burns was handed a £250 fine and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
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