A MAN who attempted to murder an ex-partner by stabbing her in the chest has been given more time behind bars for his latest offending.

Andrew Rogan, of Wellington Road North in Heaton Chapel, Stockport, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning via video link from HMP Berwyn.

The 51-year-old had previously admitted breaching a restraining order, in that he made contact with his ex-partner Jade Carmel Smith by phone while he served a custodial sentence at the Wrexham prison.

During his first appearance regarding the matter at Wrexham Magistrates Court, prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that despite the Prison Service being made aware of the alleged breach, Rogan was made subject to the prisoner early release scheme.

However he was arrested as he left HMP Berwyn on Tuesday, September 10 by North Wales Police.

Jemma Gordon, prosecuting, told Mold Crown Court this week that Ms Smith - also referred to during the hearing as Jade Rogan - had attended in the public gallery in support of the defendant.

The breach had come about when Rogan contacted a friend who was in the company of Ms Rogan.

Ms Rogan told the defendant he could contact her via that number and he 'repeatedly' did that.

In an example conversation from July 31 summarised by Ms Gordon, they discussed the fact that even at that stage, the authorities were aware there had been contact between them.

In her victim personal statement, Ms Rogan apologised and 'took responsibility for the breaches,' saying she wanted to see the defendant released back into the community.

Andrew Rogan (NWP)Andrew Rogan (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) But Ms Gordon said the Crown Prosecution Service had grave concerns about that - not least because Rogan was convicted and sentenced to a long custodial term in 2002 for the attempted murder of a previous partner.

At the time of the present offences, he'd been serving a 28 month jail term, imposed in January for breaching a restraining order issued on acquittal regarding Jade Rogan.

As well as imposing the time in custody, Chester Crown Court issued a new five-year restraining order, for the protection of Ms Rogan.

Michael Whitty, defending, conceded the breach had been persistent in nature.

He said: "There's no evidence that during the course of this offence, any of the calls were threatening or abusive.

"It seems to have been welcomed by the complainant and I am not seeking to point the finger at her in any way but it wasn't inherently unpleasant contact.

"These were calls made in which family matters were discussed. They shouldn't have been made and Mr Rogan accepts that."

Mr Whitty added that in terms of his client's release and immediate arrest, his client had been given the hope of liberty - only to have it taken away.

Judge Niclas Parry told Rogan: "In 2002 you were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the attempted murder involving a partner at the time.

"You stabbed her in the chest in the presence of her children.

"That's the context of what may appear to have been stiff sentenced subsequently.

"But in January this year you were sentenced to 28 months for harassment and breaching a restraining order.

"It's a sad indictment of the current prison regime at HMP Berwyn that from there, serving your sentence, you were somehow able to continue to offend against the same partner.

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"Your attitude is clear; you simply do not accept how important this court order is and there's a reason for that - you act in a way that will ensure you main control over your victim whilst in prison.

"And if there's any doubt about that, it's eliminated by the letters written by your victim seeking to take responsibility for your actions."

The Judge imposed a custodial term of 15 months and concluded the crime was "far too serious" to consider suspending.