A PEMBROKE Dock man will spend Christmas in prison after contacting a former partner through Facebook.

Anthony Bentley, aged 45, of Bush Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 13.

He pleaded guilty to contacting an ex-girlfriend via social media on November 5, and again on November 15.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, told the court a three-year restraining order was imposed in August, prohibiting him from direct or indirect contact with the woman.

But on November 5 Bentley sent her a message asking: ‘Are you ok?’ followed 10 days later by a second, which read: “Please say something, I’m ok, just hope you are.”

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Bentley had sent the messages after his ex’s profile was suggested to him by Facebook.

He said the profile name did not match that of his ex, and so Bentley had not been sure whether it was actually her or not.

Mr Kelleher said neither of the messages were “in any way threatening”, but said Bentley accepted they constituted ‘indirect contact’.

Magistrates sentenced Bentley to one week in custody for each offence, which would also activate an eight-week suspended sentence, totalling 10 weeks in prison, to run consecutively.

“These are serious offences,” said chairman of the bench.

“You should not have communicated with her.”

Bentley was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 surcharge.

As he was led away Bentley told magistrates “I am sorry to let you down.”