A MAN who was banned from contacting his ex has been jailed for 58 weeks - for giving their son £20 at her house.
John Kavanagh, prosecuting at Barnsley Magistrates' Court, said Peter David Arnott walked straight into the house.
"He said he wanted to give his son some money, Mr Kavanagh added. "The defendant left when his former partner said she was calling the police."
The court heard that the encounter breached the terms of a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. The sentence was imposed for an earlier breach of the restraining order.
Alyson Goldsmith, defending, said Arnott, 35, of Ladywood Road, Grimethorpe, deeply regretted going to his ex-partner's home. She said Arnott didm't think the woman would be in.
Mrs Goldsmith added: "Mr Arnott found out his ex-partner and her children were short of money. He had a spare £40 and wanted to give £20 of what little he had to a son.
"Mr Arnott thought he was doing the right thing when his ex-partner and the children were in financial difficulties.
"He realises a dim view is taken when a court order is breached."
District Judge John Foster said: "Your behaviour has been governed by drink and drugs for a long time.
"When I imposed the suspended prison sentence, I gave you a chance to show you could live your life in the way you said you would from then on.
"An immediate jail sentence is of no use to you, your family or the public. But I am left with no alternative."
Arnott admitted breaching the restraining order and the terms of the suspended sentence. He also admitted three thefts.
