A MAN caused a “disgraceful scene” in front of children on a Workington street – just days after a judge handed him a liberty lifeline.

Dean Stanley Donnelly, 30, was jailed in April for slapping his then partner in a town hotel room. A man with a history of violence – including domestic – Donnelly also received a restraining order banning him from contacting the woman.

But he was back in court in July after flouting that order.

The pair were spotted in consensual company at Maryport’s B&M store by police who were given a false name by the woman.

Donnelly admitted the breach although Judge Nicholas Barker deferred sentencing, giving him a chance to prove he could lead a crime-free life.

But just nine days later, on July 16, he was back in bother which led to police attending an evening disturbance outside Workington’s Waverley Hotel.

“The defendant is waving his arms around aggressively, swearing at numerous members of the public,” prosecutor Katy Laverty told Carlisle Crown Court.

A tin containing white powder was found after he was arrested. Donnelly said cocaine had been inside but insisted the majority of the substance was bicarbonate of soda.

He also told police his former partner had been at the hotel and that he intervened after she was involved in a row.

In court on Friday, Donnelly admitted public order and cocaine possession charges, and was also punished for the original order breach.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Donnelly had no intention of resuming his relationship with the woman, and spoke of his struggles with depression and a family bereavement.

“He has used illegal substances and accepts this, and also accepts he needs to address this when released into the community,” she said.

Judge Barker jailed homeless Donnelly for five months but noted he was likely to be released from custody right away having spent time on remand.

“There were many people around. There were children around. This was a disgraceful scene in the street,” said Judge Barker of the fracas.

Of the chance he spurned in July, the judge added: “That is a level of your resilience. It is a level of your commitment. In other words you have none.”