Restraining order imposed after case (From The Northern Echo)

Restraining order imposed after case

5:56pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Stockton News

A FAMILY will be protected by a restraining order after they said they were threatened with violence and warned that their home would be petrol-bombed.

Colin Fairclough complained to police about Dennis O'Brien, who he said harassed him over four months to take a driving theory test on behalf of his brother.

Teesside Crown Court heard that O'Brien, 20, was said to have threatened Mr Fairclough that his family would be harmed and his home targeted if he refused the demands.

O'Brien, of Briar Road, Thornaby, near Stockton, was due to go on trial yesterday, but because Mr Fairclough was reluctant to give evidence, the prosecution dropped the case.

The judge, Recorder Sandra Knapton, entered a formal verdict of not guilty, but imposed a restraining order banning O'Brien from contacting Mr Fairclough or his family.

The order prohibits him from going within 100 yards of the family's home, approaching Mr Fairclough or his wife in public or contacting the couple or their children.

Recorder Knapton said: "It is very important you understand the terms of this restraining order because if you breach it, you will be brought back before the court and that will be a very serious matter.

"If you breach this order, I am sure the court will take an extremely serious view. You can be sent to prison. You cannot contact them."

Defence solicitor, Denis Chisman, said O'Brien had "always strenuously contested" the allegation of putting a person in fear by harassment, but said the resolution was appropriate.

Olivia Checa-Dover, prosecuting, said Mr Fairclough, from Thornaby, reluctantly went through with sitting the theory test, but deliberately failed.