A “volatile and unpredictable” Bury man has been sent back to prison after breaching the terms of a restraining order.

Craig Holt, 39, appeared at his ex-partner's home and sent her WhatsApp messages in February this year, just days after a restraining order was lodged against him.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard Holt had been sentenced to 16 months behind bars for controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-partner.

Holt, of Haslam Street, had also been subject to a restraining order which ordered him not to contact her, or attend her address.

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Katherine Wright, prosecuting, said police were called at around 1am on Sunday, February 25, after Holt’s ex-partner found him banging on her front door.

The court heard he had been sending her messages using his father’s phone number and arrived at her house after she blocked the number.

He was arrested the following day, telling police in interviews that he regretted his actions and that he had been “stupid".

Holt was charged with two breaches of a restraining order, including direct contact and attending the victim’s address.

In a victim statement, his former partner described Holt as an “extremely volatile and unpredictable person".

She added: “I am now a single mother, I try my best to keep my children from harm.

“I believe this was done with malice and attempt to cause me fear.”

Ms Wright added that Holt had nine previous convictions for 16 offences, including several for breaches of a restraining order.

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Daniel Gaskill, defending, said Holt had pleaded guilty to the breaches at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Gaskill added: “He knows there’s going to be a punishment and it can only be a prison sentence."

Recorder Armstrong said Holt had breached the terms of the restraining order just six days after it was issued.

He sentenced Holt to four months and upheld the terms of the retraining order.