A MAN has landed himself in hot water after he was caught walking his dogs with a woman he was banned from contacting.

William John Shepherd was banned from contacting his former partner last November after the woman took out a non-molestation order.

It lasts until November 2023, but Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard last Thursday (June 23) that Shepherd had breached it in March.

Prosecutor Asha Seenauth said that police attended his address to speak to him on an unrelated matter, when his mum answered the door and said that he and the victim were out on a dog walk.

“The police are still at the address and low and behold both the defendant and the victim return with the dogs together. A clear breach of the prohibition.

“It is fair to say the victim doesn’t want a restraining order going forward.”

Ms Seenauth added that the defendant said he was dyslexic and couldn’t understand the order, and was too embarrassed to ask for help.

“It was a minor breach and even on the victim’s account she accepts she goes to the defendant’s house.”

Defending, Mark Glendenning underlined that it was the victim who contacted Shepherd, of Rabley Wood View, Marlborough, and that his client was “very anxious” about these court proceedings.

Rachel Gowshall, chairman of the bench, said that the court takes breaches of orders “very seriously”.

The bench fined him £250, and Shepherd must also pay £85 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge.