A CRIMINAL with a history of breaking a restraining order is behind bars after he was jailed for a fresh breach.

Jacob Curley went to his former partner’s home in an “emotional” state after he had committed a burglary, Newport Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor David Pugh said the 27-year-old was barred from going there after a restraining order had been imposed.

Curley, who was representing himself, told Judge Tom Crowther, QC, he was sorry after pleading guilty to breaching the restraining order, one charge of burglary and two counts of fraud.

The defendant, of St Mary Street, Newport, said he had been struggling with drink and drugs problems at the time of the offences which had occurred in the city.

The court heard how Curley had gone to the home of a man in his 70s in the Allt-yr-yn area and told him he knew his son and that he owed him £50.

Curley then broke a window at the house and stole a wallet which contained a debit card which he twice tried to use.

He said he then went to his former’s partner’s home.

“I am sorry for what I have done,” he told the judge. “I deeply regret what I did. I am deeply sorry and I apologise.”

The court heard how Curley, who was appearing in court via a video link from Cardiff Prison, had pleaded guilty to all charges at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Crowther told him he had committed five previous restraining order breaches.

He said Curley had gone to his former partner’s home while “emotional and upset”.

The judge jailed him for a total of eight months and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge.

Curley did not have a barrister to represent him because of an ongoing barristers’ strike.

The action follows the introduction of the government’s new Advocates' Graduated Fee Scheme which came into force in Wales and England on April 1.

It creates bands for legal aid payments, with murder and manslaughter attracting the highest payments.

Many barristers are no longer accepting new legal aid cases.