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Man in court over breach
A SCARBOROUGH man has appeared before magistrates for breaching a restraining order after he was invited to family barbecue by his estranged wife.
Steven Hurrell, of Grosvenor Crescent, admitted the breach during a hearing at Scarborough Magistrates' Court yesterday.
The 53 year old, who is a builder and qualified football referee, had been told not to approach his wife's address for a period of three years when the order was made in February.
But he admitted going to the family gathering, which took place this Bank Holiday Monday.
Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, said that Hurrell had a history of domestic and alcohol problems.
He said: "During the evening, his wife saw him down the side of the house drinking from a litre bottle of gin.
"The pair went into the living room and he pushed her, so she screamed for her daughter.
"She went upstairs and heard a loud bang. When she came down there was damage to the TV."
Mr Butterworth also noted that the defendant is currently the subject of a 12-month suspended sentence for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Franklyn Garvey, mitigating, said: "These are a very unfortunate set of circumstances.
"Both my client and his estranged wife are fully aware of the restraining order. He knows what he should have done, but there is still something between them.
"Very recently she approached me as to the possibility of lifting this restraining order.
"They may still get a divorce or formal separation, but she sees her husband is in desperate need of help and believes she can help him."
Mr Garvey explained that Hurrell's previous conviction for the firearm was completely unconnected to this matter.
He said: "It was a pistol that had lain dormant in a safe for many years, with some old ammunition."
Mr Garvey continued: "This current situation is unfortunate, as the invitation had been put forward quite wrongly by my client's wife.
"This was no doubt due to the sympathy and help she wishes to offer her husband.
"However, saying that, Mr Hurrell should not have accepted. He has serious problems with alcohol and is on medication in that regard.
"The damage was done to the TV set when he stepped on some toys, which were littering the front room, and fell onto it."
Mr Garvey concluded: "I hope you will allow him his freedom."
Magistrates decided to send the matter to crown court for sentencing, as it involved the breach of a restraining order and the fact that the offence was committed while the defendant was on a 12-month suspended sentence.
A date is yet to be fixed for sentencing. Hurrell was released on conditional bail.
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Weather for Scarborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
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