A Cheshire man has been jailed after an app on his mobile phone recorded him breaching his Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO).
The legislation relating to DVPOs is discussed in an earlier article. Very briefly, these are protective orders than can be rapidly obtained when an associated person is at risk of violence or the threat of violence. The maximum penalty for breaching a DVPO is 2 months' custody.
Jacob Snelson, 26, of Pear Tree Drive, Wincham, Northwich, admitted breaching the order when he appeared in custody at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 17th July 2024.
The order was made by Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday, 12th July 2024. It addition to the standard non-molestation requirement, it prohibited him from any sort of contact with his former partner or approaching within 100 metres of her home address.
Magistrates heard that Snelson, who is currently subject to other court orders, undergoes regular monitoring visits by the police.
It was during one of those visits, on Tuesday, 16th July 2024, that officers inspected his mobile phone and noticed that it had tracked him to his former partner's address in breach of the DVPO.
Further analysis of the device confirmed that he had visited the same address on five further occasions since the DVPO was made.
Magistrates were of the opinion that Snelson's breach was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
He was sentenced to 4 weeks' custody.
PC David Howells of Cheshire Constabulary said: "Snelson's reoffending began almost immediately following the issuing of the order, which was put in place less than five days before to protect a vulnerable person who had been the subject of domestic abuse.
"One thing is clear, we will not be needing an app to know the location of Snelson for the next month and I hope his custodial sentence will reassure victims of domestic abuse that we will always take swift action against those intent on causing violence, fear and distress.
"I would encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to report it, either via 101 or 999 in an emergency."
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