A MAN jailed for a serious assault on his own father can now visit his victim, having previously been forbidden from contacting him since the attack.

Christopher Gittins, now 44, received a 46-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court in December 2018 for inflicting grievous bodily harm on his father, George, at their home in Craddock Street, Spennymoor, three months earlier.

As part of the sentence he was made subject of a criminal behaviour order forbidding him from contacting or going to his father’s home, for ten years.

The case came back to the court today (Thursday February 24) following an application made by the prosecution on Mr Gittins senior’s part, to have the order amended.

Read more: County Durham criminal sent to prison for breaching order

Sam Faulks, for the Crown, told the court: “There had been a history between the father and son, and Mr Gittins snr was the subject of an assault resulting in bleeding on the brain.

“But it seems Mr Gittins would, now, like to effect a ‘rapprochement’ with his son.”

Judge James Adkin asked Mr Gittins snr, who was at court: “What do you want me to do?”

In response he told Judge Adkin that he has since moved to Ferryhill and his son is now living in Chilton, with full-time employment.

“I don’t want to live together but only to start speaking, that’s all.

“He seems to have settled down and works every day.”

Judge Adkin told Mr Gittins: “On the basis the police and the Probation Service don’t want to stand in the way, I will amend the order.”

He said his son could not reside at his father’s address, but he can visit to speak with him.

But he told Mr Gittins that if his son, “starts drinking again and pestering you”, that the terms of the order could be addressed again.

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