A man who was banned from contacting his ex landed himself in the dock after accidentally "bumping" into her at a house party.
Daniel Hickson was made subject of a restraining order in July 2021 after assaulting his former partner and was prohibited him from contacting her or attending her address. However, 12 months later, police were called to reports of a burglary at a property in Blyth and knew the victim was inside.
A court heard that officers searched the home, which belonged to a mutual friend of the former couple, and found Hickson hiding under a duvet in the bedroom. He was arrested but claimed he and the victim had accidentally bumped into each other after being invited to the same house party.
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Hickson, of Delaval Terrace, in Blyth, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in August last year to plead guilty to breaching a restraining order and the case was adjourned for sentence. However, Hickson failed to show for the hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Five months later and police finally detained Hickson and he appeared at the same court in custody this week to learn his fate. He also admitted failing to surrender to the court in August and was found guilty in absence of breaching his post-sentence supervision.
Elizabeth Winchester, prosecuting, said Hickson was made subject of the restraining order in July 2021 and it prohibited him from contacting his ex or going within 100m of her home. Ms Winchester continued: "On August 11 last year, police received a report to attend a property in Blyth following reports of a burglary.
"Officers were greeted at the address by the occupant and [the victim]. They were concerned at the time that the defendant maybe present inside the address. A search was conducted and they found the defendant in the bedroom lying under a duvet. He said he had been drinking at the property the evening before at a house party. He said he got drunk and the occupant had allowed him and [the victim] to sleep at the address."
The court heard that the victim confirmed that the pair had "unintentionally" met at the house party having both been invited by a friend. Despite knowing about the restraining order, however, Hickson decided to stay.
Paul Dunn, defending, said Hickson, who has 84 offences on his record, had been at large for five months but had managed to stay out of trouble during that time. He added: "They accidentally bumped into each other at a house party. They slept separately in the same house on that evening."
Hickson was given an 18-month community order and must pay £145 costs. He was also fined a total of £180 and must pay a £114 victim surcharge
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