"Considerate" messages turned "toxic"

Tuesday 13 August 2024

A 56-year-old man who breached a restraining order for a fourth time by sending "toxic" messages to a woman has been given a "last chance" to avoid prison.

The Magistrate’s Court heard this week that Andrew Leslie Rawlinson was subject to a restraining order – banning him from any contact with the woman – when he met her by chance in town earlier this year.

He offered to help the woman carry her shopping home and then later contacted her again on WhatsApp, sending abusive and distressing messages.

Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, said Rawlinson was guilty of breaching the order on two counts – by talking to the woman in the street and later texting her – as well as the separate offence of sending abusive messages.

Advocate Paul Nicholls, defending, said of Rawlinson: “He sent considerate messages initially, that ultimately turned toxic.”

Rawlinson told the Magistrate's Court that "sometimes you cross paths" given that Jersey is a "small place".

Relief Magistrate Sarah Fitz told him that his continued breaches of the restraining order made a custodial sentence "almost inevitable", noting that he had previously had a Probation order and was deemed as being at "high risk" of reoffending.

Pictured: The Relief Magistrate said a custodial sentence seemed "almost inevitable", but ultimately went with the advice of a pre-sentencing report.

However, she said she would accept the recommendations of a pre-sentence report suggesting alternatives to jail.

Instead, the Relief Magistrate imposed 120 hours of community service, a 12-month probation order, and a five-year restraining order.

However, she warned him: “This is absolutely your last chance.”