Serial pest jailed after breaching restraining order for 10th time by contacting ex-girlfriend

A serial pest has been put behind bars for is tenth breach of a court order meant to keep him away from his ex girlfriend.
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Aaron McLaughlin was made the subject of a restraining order in November 2019 which was supposed to stop all contact with the woman.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard the 20-year-old has repeatedly got in touch with her and been given punishments including prison as a result.

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McLaughlin was released from his last jail term in September last year and within a month he met with the woman at a Travelodge in Sunderland.

Aaron McLaughlin.Aaron McLaughlin.
Aaron McLaughlin.

As as result of the illegal meeting, McLaughlin was remanded in custody but the court heard that failed to stop him getting in touch.

Prosecutor Alec Burns told the court McLaughlin continued to call, send letters and a birthday card to the victim and even got his brother to send her a message on his behalf via Facebook.

McLaughlin, of no fixed address, formerly from South Tyneside, admitted two charges of breach of a restraining order.

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Mr Burns said "none of the letters were threatening" but added: "These are the ninth and tenth breaches of this order."

Barry Robson, defending, said McLaughlin has spent "two Christmases and two birthdays" behind bars as a result of being a "serial offender as far as the breaches of the order are concerned" and is still a young man.

Mr Robson said McLaughlin feels "lured back" by the victim when he is out of custody and feels he has received "confusing signals" from her.

Judge Penny Moreland jailed McLaughlin for 11 months and ordered ‘you stay away from her’.

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The judge told him: "I am going to make it clear to you at this stage that when you breach a restraining order you breach an order of the court.

"You complain, through your barrister, of mixed messages. Let this message be entirely clear to you, you stay away from her."

Judge Moreland said the letters and calls were a "persistent and determined effort to breach the order of the court".

The judge also imposed a new, five year restraining order.

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