A MAN who let himself into his ex-girlfriend's home and then refused to leave has been sentenced.

Gareth Noller, of Llanarmon Yn Ial, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentence.

The 36-year-old had been found guilty after trial of one offence of harassment without violence.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that the victim of the offending was committed against his ex-partner, Jody Jones, at Eryrys.

She had been in an on-off relationship with him from January 2018 to July 2022.

After a holiday they went on in 2019, he became "argumentative and controlling," the court heard.

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In January 2023, Ms Jones told Noller to leave her alone - and he did, for three months.

On Friday, April 21 last year, Noller messaged her all day asking what she was doing.

He said he wanted to see her and sent her abusive messages.

That night, at around 11.30pm, Noller arrived at her front door and tried to let himself in.

He appeared "drunk" and was talking to himself, before returning to his truck.

What followed were "rambling" emails from him to her before he was seen driving away in the early hours of the morning.

Noller returned to the scene within a matter of hours and managed to gain access to the house while she was still asleep.

He walked into her bedroom and sat on her bed, talking to her.

Despite numerous requests to leave the home, he refused and followed her around.

Ms Jones went to Mold Police Station to report the matter.

In her victim statement, she explained the defendant's behaviour had left her "worn down."

A probation officer told the court: "He has admitted he was in an on-off relationship with her for many years and went on to describe how it was a very dysfunctional relationship; toxic and unhealthy on both parts.

"He almost normalised this type of behaviour by saying 'this is just how we were.'

"I don't think he quite understands how unhealthy it was."

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According to the probation officer, Noller claimed the victim had in the past instructed him to "keep on at it," and not to "disappear" from her life in the event of the relationship breaking down.

She added the defendant is the sole carer for his father, with whom he lives on his family farm.

In terms of the offence itself, Noller had told the probation report author he was "worried" for the victim after she didn't respond to him and had intended to speak to her - but instead made her "fearful."

Chloe Young, defending, told the court: "This is the second time he's been before the court - the last time being for a driving offence 15 years ago.

"Ultimately he's saddened to be before the court today.

"He's remorseful for his actions and his behaviour towards the victim and never intended to cause her any alarm or distress."

Kimberly Caruana, Chair of the Magistrates, told Noller: "I think we all acknowledge it was a highly toxic relationship over a number of years.

"This incident was in a domestic context - you did enter that property. That address wasn't your home - it was her home and that will have been frightening."

An 18 month community order was imposed - along with 33 sessions on an accredited programme and 15 rehabilitation days.

Noller must also pay a £350 fine, £640 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

A five year restraining order was imposed to prohibit the defendant from approaching or contacting the victim or her children for five years.