A HUSBAND banned from contacting his wife breached a restraining order for the second time by sending a Valentine’s Day card and flowers, a court heard.

Terry Bradley, aged 48, of Arpley Street, was said to have sent the romantic offering despite not being allowed any contact with wife Jane.

Halton Magistrates Court heard on Thursday how Mr Bradley was subjected to the restraining order after being sentenced for assault.

Alison Warburton, prosecuting, said despite the order also banning the defendant from going near her Birchwood home, he was seen driving in a car next to her house on February 15.

Mrs Bradley’s mum was at her home looking after the couple’s child, and saw Mr Bradley drive by, looking through the window of the address.

The court heard he was checking to see if the anonymous Valentine’s Day card and flowers had arrived.

“The florist said the male who ordered the flowers, the description matched this defendant,” said Mrs Warburton.

In a statement read out in court, Mrs Bradley accused her estranged husband of ignoring the restraining order.

He has already been convicted for breaching it, in October last year.

Mrs Bradley said: “I feel like I have to look over my shoulder all the time, and I have had sleepless nights for fear that he will turn up out of the blue.

“I feel Terry doesn’t take the restraining order seriously, or the courts are taking the matter seriously and punishing him.”

Mr Bradley pleaded to breach of a restraining order.

The court heard the plea was submitted on the basis he entered the road where the victim lives, but he did not admit sending the card or flowers.

The defendant, who was on benefits, recently secured employment in a fast food restaurant and is now aiming to ‘move on’.

Magistrates sentenced him to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay costs.