Man jailed for breaching restraining order multiple times

A Milford Haven man who would “go to any lengths” to contact his ex-partner has been jailed for repeatedly breaching a restraining order designed to protect her.

Peter Edgar, 39, of Chestnut Way in Milford Haven, was made the subject of a restraining order at Swansea Crown Court on June 16, 2021, after being convicted of assaulting his now ex-partner.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told the court that between May 27 and June 5, the victim was “feeling low” and called Edgar. He came to her home, but “within two hours” they began arguing and he left.

Mr Simpson said the victim “was embarrassed she had called him” so didn’t report the restraining order breach.

The victim woke up on June 16 and found Edgar cooking in the kitchen of her Haverfordwest home. He was drinking vodka and was “plainly intoxicated”.

The defendant stayed at her address for “an extended period of time”, and in the early hours of June 17 or 18, the victim woke up to find him in her bed next to her.

An argument erupted, and Edgar called the victim a number of derogatory names before leaving.

Edgar was jailed for driving offences in July. During his period in prison, he was informed that police wanted to interview him in relation to these latest offences.

Within days of his release, on September 20, the victim received a text message from Edgar asking what she had told the police and telling her that he “didn’t fancy” another prison sentence.

“The complainant felt intimidated and scared and felt the defendant would come and find her,” said the prosecutor.

“He will go to any lengths to get in contact with me,” the victim told the court.

Edgar pleaded guilty to three breaches of the restraining order. The court heard he had previously breached this restraining order five times, and also had three breaches of a restraining order relating to a previous partner.

“Mitigation must be minimal,” acknowledged Jon Tarrant, appearing for Edgar.

Mr Tarrant said the strongest point in the defendant’s favour was his early guilty pleas.

“This was a problematic relationship,” he added. He said that although the defendant was invited for the first breach, Edgar should have known better and ignored the request.

Judge Paul Hobson said the last breach was an attempt to “apply psychological pressure” to the victim.

“You plainly have a significant issue when it comes to treating women with appropriate levels of respect,” he said.

“It’s very simple, Mr Edgar. You need to learn to leave this woman alone.”

He sentenced Edgar to two years and nine months imprisonment, and imposed a new 10-year restraining order.