A DOMESTIC abuser has been jailed for breaking an order to stay away from his family after his release from jail.

Ryan Fellows was banned by a restraining order from any contact with his ex-wife or children who witnessed his knife attack on her at a house in Newton Abbot in August 2019.

His wife suffered stab wounds to her hands, back and thigh and Fellows was jailed for a year and eight months later that year. He was released half way through his sentence.

He broke the restraining order by contacting a family member earlier this year.

Builder Fellows, aged 41, of Falkland Drive, Newton Abbot, admitted breaking the order and was jailed for six months by South Devon Magistrates last month.

He appealed his sentence to Exeter Crown Court, where it was reduced to eight weeks, meaning he will be released immediately. Recorder Mr Mathew Turner said the original sentence had exceeded the guidelines for the offence.

Mr Thomas Faulkner, prosecuting, said the police were called in April after Fellows’ ex-wife found messages dating back two months which showed him arranging a meeting at ‘The Lokie’.

He admitted the offence when interviewed by police.

Mr Paul Dentith, defending, said Fellows had not instigated the contact, which started when a family member ran up to him and hugged him in the street outside the Orsino Lounge in February.

He said he broke off contact as soon as his ex-wife found the messages and had not tried to call again.