David Challinor (Image: North Wales Police)
Last Updated: 3 minutes ago
A man described in court as “somewhat dangerous” has been given a suspended prison sentence after contacting a police officer he had been banned from approaching for more than three years.
David Challinor, 57, of Bodfor Street, Rhyl, admitted breaching the restraining order when he appeared before Llandudno Magistrates Court on Wednesday. He also pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and to sending malicious messages.
The restraining order
The order protecting Cheshire Police officer Stuart Needham was made at Mold on March 28, 2023. That earlier hearing was told Challinor had spent two years stalking Mr Needham, lodging repeated complaints against him and putting up photographs of the officer on his front door and around the inside of his home. Mr Needham responded by fitting security cameras at his house and buying a panic alarm.
How the order was breached
Prosecutor Alex Mackenzie said Challinor emailed the officer at some point between September 1 and September 14 this year. During the same month he also named Mr Needham online and through a portal.
“He has an ongoing fixation with the officer,” Ms Mackenzie said.
She told the court: “This is an individual who is somewhat dangerous.”
The other offences
The SHPO dates back to Mold Crown Court on April 5, 2017. Challinor broke its terms by contacting a woman on September 10 this year.
Separately, he sent five grossly offensive, indecent or obscene messages to North Wales Police between September 1 and September 14.
Defence
Bethan Jones, defending, said of the restraining order breach: “The history is in relation to a very difficult, traumatic situation with Mr Needham.”
She told the court her client has post traumatic stress, has been assigned a psychologist and is due to begin counselling.
Sentencing
District Judge Gwyn Jones told Challinor: “You have difficulty managing some of your emotions. I understand how this has come about (but) matters are seriously aggravated by your past record of offending.”
He added: “The hate crime elements are factors that I do and must take into consideration. You made very offensive comments that are unacceptable in the modern world that we live in.”
Challinor received 52 weeks imprisonment for breaching the restraining order, with concurrent terms of 26 weeks for the SHPO breach and 16 weeks for the malicious communications. All three were suspended for 24 months.
He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £187 surcharge.
