A MAN given a suspended prison sentence last month for assaulting his ex-partner and causing damage at her home has now been made subject of a restraining order.

Stewart Morrison, 41, of Sandbach, Great Lumley, received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, at Durham Crown Court on June 14 after he admitted assault by beating of his ex-partner and affray.

The offences took place on confrontational visits by the defendant to the woman’s home in Bowburn, County Durham, on January 31 and March 10.

During the first incident he is said to have grabbed her neck and tightly squeezed it, before slapping her face three times.

He left when she rang 999, but returned weeks later, shouting abusively at her, smashing the fish tank and threatening to stab her with a piece of the broken glass.

Read more: County Durham man attacked pregnant ex and smashed fish tank

The court heard on his behalf that the offences stemmed from his misuse of alcohol and he would agree to attend a programme to address his uses.

Judger James Adkin told Morrison he appeared to be the sort of man, “who thinks it’s acceptable to bully women when you have been drinking.”

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But he said that as the defendant does not have a bad criminal record he could suspend the sentence.

As part of the sentence Morrison was ordered to undergo a six-month alcohol treatment programme and attend 20 probation-supervised rehabilitation activity days.

He was also made subject of a four-month 7pm to 7am home curfew.

The case returned to court today (Wednesday June 29) when the prosecution invited Judge Sarah Mallett to add a restraining order to the original sentence.

She agreed to its imposition, prohibiting Morrison from contacting or approaching his former partner for the next five years.