Burger King peace offering landed Leeds alcoholic behind bars
An alcoholic warned to stay away from his ex was locked up after he turned up at her home with takeaway burgers.
A restraining order had been taken out to stop Michael Walker from turning up at his ex’s home in Seacroft after their three-year relationship finally came to an end.
They have a child together and she ended their relationship on the advice of a social worker, Leeds Crown Court heard.
But on the evening April 1 this year, the woman had been at home when Walker approached and tapped on her window, holding up a bag of food he had bought from Burger King.
She told him to leave but he moved around to the living room window and did the same again. He left after just a few minutes.
The police were called, he was found just a few streets away and was arrested. The 34-year-old initially denied going to her home.
Appearing in court over the video link from HMP Leeds, a tearful Walker admitted breaching the restraining order.
It is his third breach of the order, which was imposed in July last year, when he was convicted of harassing his ex partner.
Walker, of no fixed address, has 14 previous convictions for 23 offences, most of which are alcohol related.
His mitigating barrister, Ed Youlton said Walker was an “entrenched alcoholic” who has tried to address his issues, attending AA meetings and contacting the counselling service, Forward Leeds.
He said that on the day he went to her home with the food, he had secured himself a job.
He added: “He was excited. He had been drinking, he went round with a takeaway to try and give her the good news.
“There’s no suggestion there were any threats or violence. He knows it was wrong and regrets going round.
“He recognises he needs professional help. He really wants help with his alcohol issues.
“It’s not a serious breach. All he has done is tap on a window with a takeaway from Burger King.”
Judge Alex Menary gave him a four-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement.
He warned Walker: “It’s a one-time deal. It’s your one and only chance.”