Man jailed for breaching Domestic Violence Protection Order

A prolific domestic abuse offender from Widnes has been jailed for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO).

Ryan Johnson appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 18 August where he was sentenced to eight weeks in prison.

The 30-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

This is the second time that Johnson has received the maximum two-month sentence for breaching the order. He was previously sentenced to eight weeks in prison in February 2022.

Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst, head of Widnes Local Police Unit said:

“This is a positive outcome to ensure the safeguarding of a vulnerable victim of domestic violence. 

“Johnson is a prolific offender who has repeatedly breached his orders and this sends a clear message to Johnson and other domestic abuse perpetrators that there are consequences to their behaviour.

“Often victims are too frightened to support prosecutions or give evidence in court due to threats from the offender or fear of what they may do to them if they do.

“Johnson being in prison allows the person experiencing abuse from him to receive further support if they want to, whether from police or our local specialist domestic abuse organisations.”

“I would encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to report it, either via 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report domestic abuse online to Cheshire Constabulary via our website at Report domestic abuse | Cheshire Constabulary.” 

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO’s) and Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPN’s) have been in place since 2014.

They are civil orders which allow police and Magistrates Courts to impose conditions on a perpetrator when there has been insufficient evidence to charge.

A DVPO can prevent the perpetrator from returning to a residence and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days. This allows the victim a degree of breathing space to consider their options for support.

In order to protect the victim, further details about the offender and the offence are not being released.