A man broke a court order by tagging a woman in a Facebook post and shouting ‘hello’ to his children.

Gavin Martin, of Green Close in Sturminster Newton, appeared at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 1 for sentencing.

Martin, 40, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a non-molestation order.

On August 5, 2022, in Sturminster Newton, he posted and tagged his ex-partner on Facebook, which he was prohibited from doing by a non-molestation order made by Yeovil Family Court on May 9, 2022.

On October 4, he then shouted “hello” at his children, which he was also prohibited from doing under the same order.

Martin represented himself.

Siobhan Oxley, prosecuting, said: “In relation to the breaches, the defendant created two Facebook posts within half an hour of each other, he posted the court restrictions and tagged his ex-partner.

“The second breach, he was a passenger in a scaffolding lorry.

“The driver slowed down as they passed his children and he shouted ‘hello’ and waved at them.

“This was witnessed by the children’s stepfather.

“The order was imposed on May 9, 2022, and expired a year later.

“In an interview, he said he waved back to the children but denied saying anything to them.

“The victim said the Facebook post left her feeling anxious.”

Martin was given an 18-month community order and will have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was also given a restraining order not to contact the victim for 18 months.

He was ordered to pay a surcharge of £114.