A MOUNT Gambier man could be heard banging in the courtroom cells after he was jailed for 18 days for breaching an intervention order.
David Newton Bradley, 38, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for the offending.
The prosecution said Bradley sent a text message to the protected person on May 4, despite a no-contact intervention order.
He told the protected person he was “just up the road if she wanted to catch-up”.
She responded by informing the defendant of the intervention order and told him she did not want to see him.
Bradley replied with the middle finger “emoji”.
The protected person threatened to tell the police and Bradley sent her another message apologising.
The defendant’s lawyer said his client was remorseful for his actions and wanted to move away from the city and start a new life in Cairns.
“Keeping him here or incarcerating him may cause a relapse into drugs,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
“He needs a fresh start – the sooner the better.”
Magistrate Teresa Anderson cited the defendant’s repeat offending.
“There is continued ignoring of intervention orders and you need to be deal with firmly,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“I agree that it is in your best interests to go and live somewhere else.”
While the text messaging was not threatening, Magistrate Anderson said it was still serious because the protected person did not want contact.
Magistrate Anderson sentenced the defendant to 18 days imprisonment.
Bradley was visibly displeased with the sentence and mumbled expletives as he left the court.
Loud banging noises could be heard from the courtroom cells for a short time after the sentencing.