A DISGRACED Kidderminster election candidate has been fined after attempting to breach a court order banning him from contacting his ex.

David Hollyoak, of Greatfield Road, pleaded guilty to trying to phone his former partner Natalie Williams, breaking a restraining order banning him from doing so.

The order was imposed after Hollyoak was convicted of punching Ms Williams in the face, pushing her into a paddling pool, and hitting her with a washing line prop in May this year.

On Friday, September 20, Kidderminster Magistrates' were told the 51-year-old, was out in Bewdley on July 21 when he decided to visit a friends' home.

Hollyoak attempted to phone the homeowners to see whether Ms Williams was at the address. After failing to get through, he attempted to call to Ms Williams.

Hollyoak who is a former Liberal Democrat candidate had previously been in trouble for a restraining order breach where police were called to a disturbance.

Prosecutor Rachel Bentley told the court that Hollyoak claimed he was alone, but Ms Williams was found by police hiding behind a shed in the garden.

Fergus Maxwell, for Hollyoak, said: “It’s right to say that Miss Williams is complicit to a large extent or has been in the past, and it needs to be sorted out.”

He added: “It’s making a mockery of the court order if no person wants it.”

Following his latest conviction, Hollyoak was ordered to pay a fine of £101, victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £185.

This is the latest episode in a series incidents during the couple’s troubled relationship.

Previously Ms Williams had been charged with assaulting Hollyoak, but the case was thrown out due to lack of evidence.

At a previous hearing a ‘statement of support’ written about Hollyoak by Councillor Fran Oborski, deputy leader of Wyre Forest District Council, was presented in court.

Cllr Oborski later backtracked and apologised over the statement at a full council after coming under pressure to explain why she supported Hollyoak.

She said: "I am sorry if what I have done has offended or upset anyone.

"I am opposed to domestic violence in all its forms, whatever its nature and in whatever the gender of sexuality of the perpetrator and of the victim."