A Newtown man, Andrew Tanswell, 59, has been sentenced to nearly a year in prison after violating a restraining order and harassing his former partner. Tanswell, residing at Sunlea, The Bank, was previously given a suspended six-month sentence in November 2023 for a campaign of harassment following their breakup.
On May 21, Tanswell was ordered to serve a total of 50 weeks in jail after magistrates triggered his suspended sentence and added 26 weeks for breaching the restraining order. Between April 4 and May 13, he sent multiple emails, texts, and voicemails to his ex-partner and her son, despite a five-year restraining order imposed in November.
During his initial sentencing, the court learned that Tanswell had harassed his former partner and her children for five months following their split in mid-2022. Prosecutor Helen Tench detailed how Tanswell, who relocated from Dorset to Powys, struggled with alcohol and job stability after moving in with his ex-partner.
After being arrested and released on bail with instructions not to contact her, Tanswell used a different number to send further messages. He also began contacting his brother, threatening legal action regarding finances, and even bombarded his ex’s children with messages, accusing their mother of being a “scam artist.”
Magistrates emphasized the need for a firm sentence due to Tanswell’s blatant disregard for court orders and the nature of his offenses committed during the operational period of his suspended sentence.