WITHIN a week of being released from jail, Malcolm Riley broke a court order by going to the home of his former partner late at night, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Anna Marland heard a knock on the door of her Northam flat shortly before 11pm and, looking outside, realised that it was Riley and called the police.

Riley, 28, of no fixed abode, admitted breaching the restraining order and was jailed for 12 months.

“It was an offence committed in drink,” said Matthew Jewell, defending.

“He went there to see his children. It is not an excuse but an explanation.

“He knocked on the door and stepped back. There was no persistent banging and shouting. It was a particularly stupid thing to do.”

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Ralls QC referred to Ms Marland’s impact statement in which she spoke of her fears and concerns, describing Riley as unpredictable. He said: “You don’t seem to be a person who has regard for court orders and a custodial sentence is inevitable.”