LUKE JAMES – HULL

❌LUKE JAMES – HULL❌

A woman was left feeling terrified after her former partner, Luke James, threatened to kill her and later hurled abusive insults at her as he drove past her, Hull Crown Court was told. The victim said she believed James would “stop at nothing to get me” and feared he would do whatever he could to make her life unbearable.

James, 32, of Wawne Road in Bransholme, Hull – who had been held on remand – admitted breaching a restraining order on July 3, as well as breaking a 12-week suspended sentence previously imposed on June 2 at Hull Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor James O’Connor explained that James and the woman had been in a relationship for around three years starting in 2021. As things deteriorated, he sent her disturbing messages, including threats to kill her and comments wishing she were dead. On June 2, he received the restraining order and suspended sentence after admitting to sending the malicious, threatening messages.

But only a month later, on July 3, James ignored the order. He initially drove past the woman around 8.40am, then turned his car around to drive by her again, shouting abuse – calling her a “sl*g” – in direct breach of the court order. He was arrested on August 25 but initially denied the offence.

The woman later told police she believed James was capable of doing anything to get to her, describing how his behaviour was ruining her life. The court heard she had been left anxious and frightened by his actions. Mr O’Connor described the breach as deliberate and noted James had 11 previous convictions.

Defence barrister Rachel Scott said the shouting incident, though clearly unpleasant, was not something James had planned and was instead a moment of lost temper. She said he was genuinely remorseful and wished he could undo his behaviour. James had been in custody since August 26.

Recorder Robert Ward told James there was no justification for ignoring a restraining order. Given the history of the case and the seriousness of the breach, he said custody was unavoidable. James was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and was handed a new restraining order lasting five years.

Clare’s Law – What Victims Need to Know

Clare’s Law, officially known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, allows anyone to ask the police whether a current or former partner has a history of violence or abuse.
It also allows police to proactively warn potential victims if they believe someone may be at risk.

It is designed to help protect people from forming relationships with individuals who have a known violent or abusive past.