A WINCHESTER man has narrowly avoided a prison after breaking a court order to contact a woman.

David Whitewood, 60, of Christchurch Road, contacted Emma Cull on August 20 when banned by a restraining order. He admitted the charge.

Magistrates in Basingstoke jailed him for two weeks suspended for 12 months.

They chose not to activate a suspended sentence imposed for common assault and possession of a knife, imposed on August 11. That was for 12 weeks suspended for 18 months. Magistrates decided that that sentence should continue.

Whitewood was ordered to pay a £129 victim surcharge.

There was no separate penalty for failing to attend court on September 22.