A MAN who spat through his ex-partner’s letterbox, hitting her five-year-old daughter, has been jailed at Oxford Crown Court.

Paul Armstrong, of Minchery Road, Littlemore, was handed a prison sentence on Friday after he admitted repeatedly breaching a non-molestation order banning him from harassing Victoria Appleby.

Prosecutor Nigel Ogborne said the 34-year-old had disobeyed the court order a total of eight times since it was made on Christmas Eve last year.

Judge Ian Pringle heard that Oxford magistrates gave Armstrong a four-month suspended prison sentence on October 25 for his seventh breach.

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But that evening, Mr Ogborne said, Armstrong went to Miss Appleby’s flat in Chillingworth Crescent, Oxford, and banged and kicked the door, demanding to be let in.

Mr Ogborne said Armstrong’s victim was feeling sick because she was heavily pregnant and was trapped inside the property with her distressed children aged two and five.

The prosecutor said the defendant then ripped off the flap of the letterbox and began shouting and spitting through the door, with some spittle hitting the five-year-old inside.

Mr Ogborne said the police arrived and after a brief struggle Armstrong was arrested.

Ronan McCann, defending, said there was “genuine affection” between his client and Miss Appleby, and he had been drunk when he breached the order.

He said: “What is quite clear throughout all of these incidents is that Mr Armstrong has had significant problems with alcohol.

“But this was not a case of unwanted attention, Mr Armstrong maintains regular contact with Miss Appleby even while he has been in custody.”

But Judge Pringle told the defendant he had no option but to send him to prison.

He said: “You have continually flouted this order.

“There are no less than eight breaches, and you have been given community orders and suspended sentences in the past.

“You have had a requirement to get treatment for your obvious drink problem, but you continue to ignore the order.”

He jailed Armstrong for 12 months and made a restraining order banning contact with his victim, except through social services so he can see his recently-born child.

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