Man jailed for harassing his ex-partner in Chirk

The harassment put defendant James Frederick Dowd, 51, in breach of a previous suspended sentence.

Dowd, of Peckforton Way at Upton near Chester, appeared from custody at Flintshire Magistrates’ Court at Mold and admitted that he harassed Phillip Anthony Evans at Chirk between September 12 and 17.

The court heard that the couple had been in a 20-year relationship and it ended amicably.

But then last week the defendant began contacting him demanding the return of a suit.

The complainant knew nothing of any suit but called the police when calls were made in the early hours and became more threatening, the court was told.

Dowd was jailed for 10 weeks and District Judge Gwyn Jones made a two-year restraining order not to contact the complainant.

The judge said that while the initial contact was courteous it became totally inappropriate in view of their nature and timing.

Calls had been made in the early hours when the judge said that the defendant had been drinking too much and was not able to see things clearly.

It occurred while he was on a suspended sentence, which he had breached for a second time.

Mr James Neary, prosecuting, said that the 20-year relationship ended in December and they had not had any contact.

However last week the complainant began to receive calls from the defendant over the return of a suit.

The court heard Mr Evans knew nothing about any suit and rang the defendant’s mother to tell her so.

But that appeared to have been the trigger for a number of calls.

The complainant was also concerned that the calls were becoming more threatening – and that he might turn up at his address.

Defending solicitor Mr Steve Coupe said that it was conceded that his client had breached the suspended sentence previously by committing an offence of being drunk and disorderly.

After a 20-year relationship, the split had been amicable but a relatively minor issue of a suit was raised by the defendant who appeared to have lost his self control.

It was the defendant’s case that he was not in drink at the time and that may be something that he would need to deal with in the future, said Mr Coupe.

Dowd was the sole carer for his mother aged 78 and he tended to her day to day needs.

He was concerned for her welfare if he went into prison, said Mr Coupe.