A pensioner was hauled before the courts after sending his daughter a message to offer her £5,000 in financial support.
Anthony Mitchell, 73, sent a text message to say he wanted her to have £5k to help her family with the cost of living. But the message put him in breach of a restraining order which prohibits him from having any contact with his daughter.
The order, which was granted in 2018 following a family fall out, is in place until 2030.
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Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre were told it bans Mitchell from contacting "a number of" individuals, including his daughter. In February, he sent her a message which said: "I see interest rates have gone up. Things are bad and will only get worse.
"Here is £5,000 belonging to you. I never wanted it back. If it will help you, please take it. Please take a while to think about it before you call the police."
Prosecutor Zaine Riaz said: "The defendant sent his daughter a text message. She never responded to the message and rightfully reported it to the police. The defendant told the police he was worried about his daughter bringing up her children in the current financial climate. Clearly his daughter does not want any contact with him at all."
Mitchell, of Eaton Street, Northwood, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order. It is his first criminal conviction, reports Stoke on Trent Live.
Andrew Bennett, mitigating, said he had never come across a case like it. He said: "Mr Mitchell originally gave his daughter a £5,000 payment which he committed to when he had paid off his mortgage. In 2016 there was an almighty family schism. The £5,000 was sent back.
"They went to court and this was a restraining order made on acquittal. In February, when the Russians invaded Ukraine, Mr Mitchell foresaw the financial world was going to come crashing down. He effectively said, 'Have the money, I never wanted it back and it will help your family'. I find myself amazed that he is before the court today."
Magistrates told Mitchell that breaching a restraining order was "a serious matter", but went outside their sentencing guidelines to hand him a 12-month conditional discharge. This means he will not be punished if he stays out of trouble for the next year.
He must also pay £211 in court costs and charges.
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