Protection order breach

A MAN who attempted to contact a protected person 15 times in one day to declare his love for the victim has been placed on a good behaviour bond.

Neville Henry Widdison, 49, appeared in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court for breaching an intervention order.

The prosecution said Widdison breached the order from March 29 to April 1 after the protected person – who was his former partner – was reported to have fallen off a bike and was hospitalised.

The court heard the order was put in place in June 2018, but Widdison had since attempted to contact the protected person.

The court heard Widdison tried sent text messages to his former partner saying he loved her and she should call him.

The defendant’s lawyer said Widdison’s last message to the protected person was he had nobody to talk to.

“It is simply a man who is trying to cope with a relationship breakdown,” she said.

Magistrate Panagiotidis said she understood Widdison was not trying to cause any harm, but it was still a breach.

Widdison was placed on a $100 six-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay victims of crime and prosecution fees totalling $310.