Mansfield man landed with restraining order following 'row over playing skittles'

Keith Holmes started pestering the woman shortly before Christmas by bombarding her with phone calls, leaving voicemails and turning up at the house they used to share in Sutton, Mansfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday, February 19.

Prosecuting, Donna Fawcett said that Holmes had been of previous good character until a recent drink drive conviction following the break-up of the relationship.

She said: “He constantly knocked on the door and rang the doorbell to get her attention. She recognised his hat through the glass and didn’t answer the door. He left flowers and dog food, and messaged her asking if he could take her out on New Year’s Eve.

“This was a case where repeated warnings were made to Mr Holmes.This is stalking due to the extensive nature of the contact. - she has moved on.”

Probation staff reported that, in an interview, Holmes told them that he had ended the relationship because she objected to him going out to play skittles on a Tuesday evening, which was something he deeply regretted.

Holmes, 60, currently of the YMCA in Rosemary Street, Mansfield, admitted stalking and told the court that he was about to start a new job at Sports Direct, in Shirebrook.

Mitigating, Rebecca Williams said that Holmes had been given a community order with unpaid work by the court for his drink driving conviction, but due to issues with his memory loss, the order was not suitable.

She said: “The lady in question is more annoyed about him going to the address that being in fear of him.”

District Judge Jonathan Taaffe scrapped the community order and replaced it with a £300 fine for the drink drive offence.

For the stalking offence, he gave Holmes a two-year conditional discharge and imposed a three-year restraining order. He also ordered Holmes to pay £85 in costs and a £21 victim surcharge.