A CARLISLE man has been banned from seeing his ex-partner after a court heard that he refused to accept their seven-month relationship was over.

Ryan Dicker, 30, was said to have subjected the woman to a catalogue of mistreatment, which included spitting at her, pouring water over her head, and isolating her from her friends and family.

He denies any wrongdoing.

But magistrates at the city’s Rickergate court granted a 28-day domestic violence protection order after Cumbria Constabulary outlined the background reasons for their application.

An officer told the court that the application was triggered by an incident on June 28 when the protected woman’s sister contacted the police to report that Dicker had been into his ex-partner’s home without her permission.

He allegedly damaged fridge magnets.

In a phone call with the sister, the court heard, Dicker also allegedly made a comment about needing to move back in with his ex and suggested her car may be “firebombed.”

When police spoke to Dicker’s former partner, she outlined the allegations of being spat at and having water poured over her head. “He caused her to be isolated from family and friends,” said the officer.

The court heard that there was a history of domestic violence for the relationship but the woman was unwilling to provide a statement because she feared "repercussions".

He was accused of making derogatory comments about her, lowering her self-esteem. When police got involved, he constantly breached his bail conditions by attempting to contact the woman.

Dicker was reported to have told officers: “You can’t keep me away from [here]; I’ll keep going back.” The woman told police she was “terrified” of him.

The court was told that Dicker was addicted to drugs and on Valium on the day of the June 28 incident and this increased the risk due to the potential for unpredictable behaviour.

Being currently homeless also made it more likely he would seek to return to the woman’s address.

Magistrates ruled that the domestic violence protection order is necessary and proportionate. It bans any contact with the protected woman and nor can he go to the property where she lives.

The order will expire at midnight on July 29.

Such orders are civil in nature, decided on the balance of probabilities, though breaching one would be a criminal offence. The idea is to give the parties involved "breathing space" so that they can seek support and advice.