A WIGTON man banned from contacting his former partner was found to be living with the woman after the pair rekindled their relationship.

Jamie Brough, 33, was handed a restraining order in February last year after being sentenced for a drink-fuelled “strangulation” assault on his ex.

Brough was handed an 18-week prison sentence and banned from having any contact with the woman until February, 2024.

Brough was brought back to court in December for a first breach of the order. He had been contacted by the woman and gone to see her because she was upset by the anniversary of a bereavement.

When given extra punishment for that breach, Brough told magistrates: “It won’t happen again.”

But Brough was back in hot water on Monday of this week when he was found to have again flouted the restraining order.

Police went to an address in Wigton at around 2-40am, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard today (tues). “The defendant opened the door,” said prosecutor Peter Bardsley. “According to officers he appeared to have been sleeping. He was wearing a dressing gown.

“His phone was looked at and it showed he had contacted (the woman) on two occasions.”

Asked if he lived alone, he said “no, with (the woman)”.

Brough, of South End, Wigton, gave a prepared statement when interviewed. “I accept I am in breach of the order imposed by the court. I am sorry for that,” he stated.

Brough — who appeared in court having been remanded in custody — understood the woman was planning to file an application to have the order lifted, although nothing official had happened.

“I realise that until a court makes a decision to lift the order,” he added, “I must abide by its terms.”

Mr Bardsley told magistrates: “Hopefully he is now aware that he should not breach this restraining order because he has ended up where he has (custody).”

Defence solicitor Andrew Gurney, giving mitigation, said it had been an “unfortunate” breach.

Magistrates heard Brough, a builder and plasterer, had been complying well with the requirements of a previously imposed court sentence.

He was ordered to carry out 80 more hours’ unpaid work for the latest breach, and complete additional rehabilitation work with the probation service.

Brough was reminded the restraining order remains in force.