Belfast man who breached restraining order given ‘justifiable’ prison sentence – The Irish News

A Belfast man who had a suspended sentence earlier this year for breaching a restraining order and reoffended three months later was given a “justified” 15-month prison sentence on Thursday.

In sentencing, Judge Gordon KC warned Martin Dundon that he could expect “increased prison terms” if he continued to breach court orders.

The man, aged 50, of Donegall Avenue, breached a restraining order by contacting his ex-wife on July 16, 2023.

He appeared at Belfast Crown Court on 20 February 2024, where Judge Kerr deferred sentence for six months.

On 21 May 2024 (three months after the end of the suspended period), he again breached the order by going to his ex-wife’s house while banned.

He was brought back to court on Thursday and sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison for the violations.

Before handing down the sentence, Judge Kerr said in a statement put to him by Dundon’s lawyer that although he had admitted the violations there were “occasions in which he was invited into the house and should not have been in the house”.

Adding that alcohol was a “significant factor,” the lawyer spoke of the “ripple effect” the court orders had on other members of Dundon’s family.

The defense lawyer also explained that his client had spent more than five months in custody due to the violations.

Judge Kerr said there was “absolutely no doubt” that the custody threshold had been exceeded.

He added: “There’s a certain stage where someone needs to understand that you can’t continue to breach court orders and that if you do the only consequence will be escalating prison sentences.

“You cannot violate a court order while you are in custody. “It’s that simple.”

Judge Kerr imposed a six-month prison sentence for the breach in July 2023 and a concurrent nine-month sentence for the breach occurring during the suspension period in May 2024.

The judge concluded by saying the 15-month sentence was “justified” and told prison staff that “he could be sent back to serve the remainder of his sentence.”