Bolsover man breached restraining order after calling estranged partner 'thinking she wanted to talk about the children'

Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday, January 22, that Anthony John Goucher had made numerous calls to his ex on January 9 and 13, breaching a restraining order imposed by the court in November.

Goucher claimed that he had received several calls from an unknown number on his mobile phone and, assuming it was his former partner trying to get in touch with him, called her, thinking there was a problem with the children.

Prosecuting, Becky Allsop said: “He was made subject to a restraining order for a period of two years and was prohibited contact after a criminal damage charge.

“She had blocked his number on her mobile phone, but the phone was set up to show if any of her blocked numbers tried to call her, and it showed that the defendant had tried to contact her and she immediately called the police. Then, on January 13, she received several calls from a mobile phone and also from a private number. She told police that this made her feel nervous and wonder what he was going to do next.

“When he was arrested by police he asked if he could take a bag containing his medication and inside they discovered a quantity of cannabis. When interviewed he told police he had received several calls and he thought it was his former partner trying to contact him about the children.”

Goucher, 35, of Townend, Bolsover, admitted two counts of breaching the restraining order and possession of cannabis when he appeared before the court.

Mitigating, Steve Brint said: “He has a mobile telephone and only four people know his number, and three of those are professional organisations, and the other is his former partner. He thought she was trying to contact him regarding their two children.”

Goucher was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge. Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.