Thug stalker is spared jail term

Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court heard that David Cross assaulted Leah Caunce on October 26 and harassed her in Leigh between December 1 and January 9.

This happened while already the subject of a restraining order, the hearing was told.

The 24-year-old defendant of Duke Street in Birkenhead on The Wirral had initially denied all three charges against him, but then changed his pleas to guilty before a trial could take place.

The Wigan justices gave him a total prison sentence of 26 weeks but suspended the term for 18 months. They justified the custodial term by noting that he had previous convictions for similar offences, some of which had involved the same victim.

Cross was ordered to complete a community programme requirement of 29 days and 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

A new restraining order lasting until July 2025 was imposed by the bench and he must pay £472 in court costs and a victim services surcharge.

The hearing was told that no compensation order would be made because the victim wanted closure.

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