OWEN Craigie has been convicted of breaching an apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO), the tenth time the former Newcastle Knight has breached the order relating to having contact with his ex-wife in less than six months.
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Craigie, 42, was convicted of breaching an ADVO in Belmont Local Court on Monday, four months after he was placed on a 12-month community corrections order for breaching the order nine times by continually texting and calling her over 10 days in December, 2019.
The offences all relate to Craigie having contact with his ex-wife after the breakdown of their 14-year relationship, a breach of one of the conditions of the ADVO.
And Craigie was warned by Magistrate Peter Barnett, SC, on Monday that regardless of the nature of the breaches, the court was quickly running out of sentencing options.
"Mr Craigie," Mr Barnett said. "No one wants to see a person like you to go to prison, but ultimately if you force someone's hand you will."
The most recent breach occurred on May 1 when Craigie went to a location unaware that his ex-wife would be there.
Mr Barnett said Craigie approached his ex-wife's car and initiated a conversation, which lasted for about 20 minutes.
"A conversation took place," Craigie's solicitor, Kristy Wade, told Mr Barnett on Monday.
"He was emotional. There wasn't an argument, there wasn't any threats."
Other persons at the location, aware of the ADVO and its conditions, called the police, not Craigie's ex-wife, Ms Wade said.
Craigie said he lamented what he perceived as a lack of support for people navigating their marital breakdown arrangements.
"I just think there needs to be more support for men and women that are going through what I'm going through," Craigie said.
Magistrate Barnett made clear on Monday that Craigie was going the wrong way about things.
"I have no doubt that he has found the break-up of his relationship extremely troublesome," Mr Barnett said. "That is understandable but he also has to understand that he has to abide by the rules and by the wishes of the other party."
Craigie was placed on a two-year community corrections order and will have to complete 150 hours of community service.