A MAN has been jailed after his mother took pity on him and allowed him into her home - in breach of a restraining order.

Justin Darlington, of Glaslyn in Acrefair, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon for sentence.

The 51-year-old had previously admitted breaching a restraining order, made to prevent him attending his mother's home address.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court the defendant is "well known to the police" and is often seen in the local area.

When he wasn't seen for a number of days, officers checked at his home but received no answer.

They next checked the home of his mother, Catherine Darlington, in Rhos.

The defendant should not have been there - according to the terms of his restraining order - but police found him sitting on a chair in the kitchen.

His mother was also present, having apparently been to the shop to buy him some food.

Ms Jackson told the court Darlington has 24 previous convictions for 50 offences.

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Since the restraining order was made in 2020, he has breached it seven times.

He also admitted breaching the terms of post-sentence supervision by missing an appointment in December.

Stephen Edwards, defending, told the court the defendant's mother had no issue with her son being there and hadn't contacted the police to complain.

The Leader: Justin Darlington (NWP)Justin Darlington (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)"Mr Darlington maintained he had been in the Rhos area and was approached by his mum to see how he was," he explained.

"She indicated she'd be prepared to support him by way of washing clothes and preparation of food."

Mr Edwards said his client, who has a long-standing heroin problem and mental health issues, had spent a number of nights sleeping rough behind sheds in the Penycae area in the leadup to the offence.

He added: "The defendant, while accepting the breach, said it was a genuine situation where mum took pity on her son.

"I tried to get to the bottom of why he's subject of this five-year restraining order, which was made in April 2020.

"What I think has happened is the combination of the drug issues and debt, along with his paranoid schizophrenia, has meant his mum isn't able to cope with him at home.

"But she's not willing to write him off for life.

"He's not excluded from contacting her - just from going to her home.

The Leader:

"So if mum sees him in the street and wants to socialise with him, there's nothing precluding that."

Darlington received a three week custodial sentence for breaching the restraining order, as well as a concurrent term of seven days for breaching his post-custodial supervision.

He must pay a victim surcharge of £154.

The terms of the restraining order were varied to include a prohibition from entering the street where his mother lives - not just her home.