A 49-YEAR-OLD man who repeatedly breached a restraining order in favour of his ex-wife has been banned from having any contact with her for the next five years.

And Blackburn magistrates warned Jason Gaunt that any breach of the order would see him facing a prison sentence of up to five years.

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Gaunt, 49, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to harassing Melanie Norcliffe.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £60 victim surcharge as well as a five year restraining order. The magistrates were told Gaunt had already spent 28 days in custody.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the couple had separated in 1998 but Mrs Norcliffe had taken out civil injunctions against him in 1999 and 2012 because of his behaviour towards her.

Gaunt had received a custodial sentence and a suspended prison sentence for breaches of the latest of those orders.

After that order finished Gaunt started turning up at Mrs Norcliffe’s place of work and at her home in Rishton.

“The excuse was that he wanted to contact his daughter but Mrs Norcliffe repeatedly told him his details had been passed to her,” said Miss Allan.

As well as unwanted contact at home and work Gaunt caught the same bus home as Mrs Norcliffe and was often seen on the street where she lives with her new husband. On one occasion he went to put something in the car and found Gaunt standing outside.

“She finds contact with him intimidating and unsettling,” aid Miss Allan. “She was extremely concerned his behaviour was escalating and contacted the police who issued him with a harassment warning.”

Despite the warning Gaunt’s behaviour continued.

“Every time the orders have ended in the past the behaviour has started again and on this occasion I would ask you to make an indeterminate order,” said Miss Allan.

Richard Prew, defending, said Gaunt had said he had no wish to go near his ex-wife again.