A JUDGE has refused to lift a restraining order for a couple seeking to reconcile because the woman's former partner is 'still a threat'.

Daniel Nigel Miller is banned from having contact with former partner Jenna Dougan until next year.

The 33-year-old Barrow man has previously been jailed for assaulting his ex-partner.

An application to remove the restraining order was made at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court 'on the grounds that they both want to reconcile and are both seeking help with their problems.'

But District Judge John Temperley rejected the application.

According to court papers, the judge noted in rejecting the application: "[The order] is there for your protection.

"Daniel is still a threat to you.

"The Probation Service who are supervising him believe him to be a threat.

"They are in a far better position to assess the defendant than I am, and they have real concerns that he still poses a threat to you.

"I have concerns that he is still manipulating and coercing you."

The restraining order will remain in force June 2022.

Miss Dougan also made an application for the order to be lifted in May, but it was rejected.

She told the court: "We're both 33 and we just want to settle down now and be together."

Miller, of Annan Street, Barrow, was given the two-year restraining order on June 11 2020 following a domestic incident involving Miss Dougan.

On 28 May 2020, Miller committed actual body harm as he attacked her at his home.

Miss Dougan was sleeping on a sofa, before Miller entered the room and bit her ear, a court heard.

The court heard that Miller then continued to attack Ms Dougan as he suspected she had been sleeping with someone else.

Magistrates were told Miss Dougan said she 'thought she was going to die'.

Miller was jailed for 16 weeks following the offence and ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the victim.

In February 2020, Miller was jailed for six weeks after assaulting her again.