THE terrified ex-girlfriend of a domestic abuser from Barrow has been left unable to sleep and "constantly looking over her shoulder" after he threatened to take her two-year-old son in the street.
Carl Ward was imprisoned after admitting breaching a restraining order against his former partner for a sixth time. She was eight months pregnant during the most recent incident, Furness and District Magistrates Court heard.
Mr Peter Kelly, prosecuting, told the court the victim had taken her son shopping on March 23. As she walked home, she saw Ward waiting for her on Jubilee Bridge in Barrow, and “her anxiety went through the roof”, the court heard.
The defendant then ran at the victim. On catching her up, he grabbed the pram with both hands and said, “I’ll take him off you”, as the child lay screaming and crying. Finally, when she phoned the police, Ward ran away.
Mr Kelly went on to read a statement from the victim. In it, she explained how Ward’s behaviour had triggered her anxiety and depression.
She said: “The incident has left me feeling scared for my safety and upset. Carl is a very violent and unpredictable person. With my being eight months pregnant I was unable to run away or defend myself or my child.
“Since the restraining order was issued, I’ve been living my life in fear, constantly looking over my shoulder, scared he will try and touch me. I need help. I don’t sleep at night, I lie there listening for any noise that might be him.”
On Thursday, the court heard how Ward continuously refused to co-operate with the police investigation. He would not attend the interview room and swore at officers who tried to question him in his cell.
Mr Trystan Roberts, defending, told the court Ward disputed a number of elements of the account, including taking hold of the pram and running at the victim at speed.
District Judge Gerald Chalk sentenced the 25-year-old, of Abbotsmead Approach, Barrow to six months in prison.
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