A MAN repeatedly tried to contact his ex-partner, in breach of a restraining order and a suspended sentence.

Mark Stephenson was made subject of the restraining order at Durham Crown Court in December 2014, when he was jailed for 30 months after threatening to cause a gas explosion at the house he previously shared with his partner and their two young children, in Murton.

He was given an eight-week suspended sentence after twice breaching the order, by going to his ex-partner’s home drunk, in March, and breached both orders on May 13, by ringing the woman, and, subsequently trying to make further calls, threatening one of her relatives who answered.

Stephenson, 27, of Leeholme Terrace, Blackhall Colliery, admitted malicious communication and breaching the restraining order.

Jane Waugh, mitigating, said he has been in custody since his arrest in May, and has a job awaiting with a timber company on his release.

Jailing him for 18 months Judge Simon Hickey said Stephenson had made his ex-partner’s life “a misery” by continued flouting of orders.

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