A CONVICTED stalker from Wrexham who breached a restraining order against his ex-partner and her family has been jailed.

Lee Roberts of Maes Y Coed, Gwersyllt, appeared before Mold Crown Court via video-link from HMP Altcourse for sentence on Tuesday, November 12.

Earlier this year, on July 1 at the same court, Roberts was convicted of stalking his former partner, Amy Darlington - who he had been in a relationship with for a number of years until the start of this year.

The 33-year-old was handed a 12-month sentence, which was suspended for two years and an indefinite restraining order was made.

On September 25, he appeared before Wrexham Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to having breached the terms of the restraining order.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of the suspended sentence by not attending arranged appointments on August 21 and August 29.

Joshua Gorst, prosecuting, told the court that Roberts had contacted Ms Darlington's younger sister on September 6, sending her a Facebook friend request.

And, although she was not part of the restraining order made, that was to be the start of the breach as it 'unnerved and concerned' the family, Mr Gorst added.

Then, on September 22, Roberts turned up at his former partner's address and came into contact with her parents, Andrew and Karen, who were part of the restraining order made.

TOP STORIES TODAY

Karen answered the door and when she saw the defendant standing there, she said: "What are you doing here? You know you're not supposed to be here."

Roberts told her that he thought Amy 'wanted them to get back together'.

Karen then told her husband to phone the police and Roberts, after a period of standing there 'looking vacant' and 'staring', walked away from the house.

Although Ms Darlington was not home at the time Roberts had been at the door, the incident had left her 'struggling to sleep that night', Mr Gorst said.

As a result, she also now takes her personal attack alarm out with her everywhere she goes.

Roberts was arrested on September 24 and accepted that he had breached the terms of the restraining order.

He told police that he 'sees images of Amy in his head' and that these are 'like bait to him'.

The prosecution added that Roberts was also in breach of the terms of the suspended sentence for failing to attend arranged appointments on August 21 and August 29.

All in all, he had attended nine appointments, but missed three due to 'unacceptable absence', the court heard.

Richard Edwards, defending, said that Roberts 'thought his ex was reaching out to him' via a picture she had uploaded online which he believed to have been 'angled towards him'.

Mr Edwards said: "He tells me it has been hard for him to come to terms with the fact that this relationship, which was his first serious one, was over."

He added: "He followed his heart, rather than his mind."

Sentencing Roberts, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: "I'm afraid the time has come for you to deal with the consequences of your behaviour." 

The suspended sentence was revoked and Roberts will now have to serve 11 months of that.

He was also handed a further eight months for breaching the restraining order.

Judge Rowlands said: "This was a continuation of your previous stalking behaviour. That was a serious episode of stalking, which had a profound effect on the family."