Ex-partner avoids jail over breaches

James Darren Richardson-Galway pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to two breaches of a protection order.

Concerned about his former girlfriend's new partner smoking drugs in front of his children, James Darren Richardson-Galway verbally abused the woman and broke a door handle when asked to leave.

Before Judge Tony Walsh in the Masterton District Court, Richardson-Galway pleaded guilty to two breaches of a protection order.

He breached the order on April 10 and on April 25 when he went to his former partner's home and an argument broke out, Judge Walsh said.

On the first occasion, Richardson-Galway left when the woman called police but during the second incident he verbally abused her and tried to gain access, causing the door handle to break.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said both incidents had happened as a result of his client's concern for his children because the new partner was smoking drugs in front of them.

Judge Walsh said the two incidents were serious enough for Richard-Galway to be jailed as he sentenced him to nine months' supervision and 80 hours' community work.

"Protection orders are there and you must comply, for the sake of the children ... people go to prison [for breaching protection orders] ... come back again for breaching and you will likely go inside," he said.