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11
Oct 2022
Former solicitor breached restraining order in Harrogate
A solicitor from Harrogate has been remanded in custody after breaching a restraining order preventing him from contacting his ex-wife.
Richard Wade-Smith, 66, appeared at York Crown Court this morning via video link from HMP Hull to be sentenced after pleading guilty to the breach at York Magistrates Court last month.
The court heard he had previously been sentenced to a community order and restraining order on September 15, after ramming his car into his ex-wife's house at Slingsby Walk, near the Stray in Harrogate. He had admitted harassment causing fear of violence, damaging property, and drink driving.
Just four days after being sentenced, he breached the order, turning up at his ex-wife's house as well as visiting her neighbour.
Prosecuting, Kelly Sherif said:
The prosecution said Wade-Smith had knocked on his ex-wife's door at 8.15am, but left when she failed to answer. He then returned at 10.30am and knocked, as well as calling to his wife and saying it was "Susie" at the door.
When she recognised his voice and again did not open the door, he went to the neighbouring house. The neighbour answered the door but told him he should not be there because of the restraining order.
Wade-Smith said he had nowhere to go, but the neighbour repeated that he was not allowed to be near his ex-wife's home.
Read more:
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- Harrogate woman gets suspended prison sentence for 'appalling assault'
In mitigation, Alasdair Campbell told the court Wade-Smith had been unable to access temporary accommodation following the sentencing on September 15.
It had taken a long time for arrangements to be made for him to leave HMP Hull, by which time Harrogate Borough Council's offices had closed and he was unable to get a place at a homeless hostel.
He slept rough that night and the next night, then paid "a lot of money" for a hotel the third night. He slept rough again the following night, but woke up in hospital, having been drinking and apparently been robbed, with his bank card and cash taken.
Recovering alcoholic
Wade-Smith, a recovering alcoholic, admitted breaching the restraining order, though he argued he had only visited his former wife's home once.
Mr Campbell said:
Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York — who heard Wade-Smith's original case in September — adjourned sentencing until November to allow a full victim impact statement to be taken from Wade-Smith's former wife.
He told Mr Campbell that Wade-Smith should have gone back to the council the day after his release to access the hostel place that had been arranged for him by the court.
He added:
Wade-Smith is due to be sentenced on Friday, November 18.
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