Man jailed after pleading guilty to breaching restraining order

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after admitting to breaching a restraining order banning him from contacting his ex-partner in Corby.

In October 2023, at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, Jamie Steven Cullen was sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment and issued with a one-year restraining order after pleading guilty to a charge of malicious communications.

The restraining order meant that Cullen was banned from contacting her directly or indirectly, including via telephone, a third party or social media but on release from prison, he arranged for his friend to contact her on the pretence he wanted to apologise.

Cullen, of Ashdown Place in Corby, was able to persuade the woman to call him and between May 1 and October 1 last year reconciled their relationship, which he knew breached his restraining order.

They booked a holiday for the end of September however when the relationship broke down, Cullen threatened his ex-partner, forcing her to agree that he could still go, but once in Spain he assaulted her.

Cullen was arrested and charged by the Spanish authorities and appeared before the courts where he was given a six-month suspended prison sentence and a nine-month restraining order, but this was only enforceable in Spain.

When he returned to the UK, Cullen was arrested by Northamptonshire Police on October 8, and subsequently charged with one count of harassment – breach of a restraining order on conviction – which he pleaded guilty to at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on October 10.

Magistrates committed the case to Northampton Crown Court for sentencing and on January 23, Cullen was sent to prison for a total of 24 months – 12 months for the harassment offence and 12 months for breaching a previous suspended sentence.

He was also made subject of a three-year restraining order, which will remain in place until January 2028, which prohibits him from contacting his ex-partner directly or indirectly, via a third party or social media.

Response officer PC Daniel Hlouverakis, who led the investigation said: “Jamie Cullen thought he was above the law and despite being the subject of the restraining order he continued to pursue the woman causing her further harm and distress.

“The woman in this case has shown courage and determination in ensuring Cullen has been held to account for his despicable behaviour and actions in breaching the restraining order, which was put in place to help ensure her safety.

“This was a team effort, and I would like to thank my colleagues who also worked on this case, and I hope the imposed prison sentence reassures the woman and others who may be in a similar situation that we do have powers to bring people before the courts again for breaching orders.

"Northamptonshire Police takes the safety of women and girls incredibly seriously and we will do all we can to prevent harm and to punish those responsible. The woman in this case is supportive of us publicising her case as she wishes to encourage others to do the same and report any breaches like this.”

Tackling violence against women and girls continues to be a priority for Northamptonshire Police. For more information on how we can help, visit www.northants.police.uk/VAWG.

*This report has been released with the support of the victim*