A MAN has been convicted of breaching a harassment order not to approach his estranged wife. Richard Wyn Jones, 48, denied the two breaches but was convicted after a trial at Flintshire Magistrates Court. Prosecutor David Boycott told the court that, last July, Jones, of The Ridgeway, Northop Hall, had been made the subject of a harassment notice not to approach his estranged wife Joanne Jones. But it was alleged that on November 19 he drove slowly past her home, stopped and wound down the window. Then it was alleged that on November 29 he drove past her in his car in Hawarden and waved. Jones put forward an alibi that he was at bingo in Wrexham when the first offence was alleged to have taken place, and called three witnesses to support him. Magistrates said, while the witnesses appeared genuine people, they took the view they were mistaken over the date. On the second occasion, Jones denied he was in Hawarden that morning and said he had been to the probation office in Flint. But magistrates said they found his wife to be a credible witness, and convicted him of both counts. Defending, Ian Christian said the breaches were at the bottom end of seriousness for such offences, with no threats, no violence and no confrontation. Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and bailed Jones on condition he does not approach Mrs Jones in any way. They said he could drive along the A55 but he must not enter Broughton, where Mrs Jones now lives. The court heard the couple were divorcing. The previous hearing was told Jones could not cope when his 20-year marriage came to an end. He said he had no idea why his wife had ended their relationship but, when he contacted her to try to find out, he ended up harassing her. Jones parked his vehicle outside her home day and night, and bombarded her with phone calls. Jones admitted a charge brought under the Protection from Harassment Act. He was placed on supervision for two years on the condition he attends an Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme. A restraining order was also made that he should not contact his wife or go within 100 metres of her then address in Hilltop Close, Ewloe, or any other address at which she may live in the future. The couple married in 1986, separated in February of last year and she moved to rented accommodation. | 
