A court has heard how a man who was given a restraining order went on to breach it by marrying the woman he had been banned from seeing.
John Linnell, aged 35, of Semilong Road, appeared before Northampton Crown Court charged with breaching a restriction order, which was given to him in November 2011.
The order banned him from seeing his then ex-partner.
However, the court heard the pair had quickly “reconciled” and went on to marry in August 2012, despite the restraining order banning Linnell from seeing her.
The matter only came to the attention of police on March 5 this year, when the pair, who have since separated, had a row and officers were called. The relationship between the pair was described in court as “fraught”.
After hearing the facts, Recorder William Harbage QC said: “It is a thoroughly unsatisfactory state of affairs, isn’t it?
“He has ignored the order, frankly since the day it was imposed. To actually marry during the course of a restraining order is extraordinary.”
Linnell admitted breaching the order and was handed a conditional discharge, lasting for a period of two years.
The restraining order, which expires in November, remains in place.
Sentencing him, he added: “In the very unusual circumstances of this case I am going to impose a conditional discharge of you, one that will be for a period of two years.”