A HOMELESS man has been banned from contacting his former partner and her husband after he attacked both of them.

Christopher Telford, 33, was angry that the couple no longer wanted to have his prescription drugs sent to their home in Cotlandswick, London Colney.

Tracy and Steve Wakeman had been receiving his prescription because he had no permanent address, St Albans crown court heard last week.

Prosecutor Wayne Cleaver said on March 22, Mrs Wakeman went to the Emmaus homeless shelter in Hill End Lane, St Albans, where Telford was staying.

Although their relationship had ended and she had married Steve Wakeman, the couple had agreed to receive his prescription drugs at their home in an effort to help him.

Mr Cleaver said: “When she went to the defendant’s room to give him his medication he became agitated. He said he needed Diazepam. He then took exception when she explained that Steve Wakeman no longer wanted their home to be used to receive his medication.”

Telford grabbed Tracy’s wrist and neck and when Steve, who was waiting outside in his car, called Tracy on her phone Telford left his room and went to the car. He was abusive, saying he would put a brick through his window and firebomb his living room.

Mr Cleaver went on: “Mr Wakeman said he wanted the defendant to ‘get out of their lives.’ Mr Telford spat on him with the spittle landing behind his ear on his neck and then he punched him on the left cheek.”

Telford was arrested and bailed. But on Wednesday, July 31, Telford was with others drinking on Romeland Hill, St Albans, near the cathedral when a member of the public complained to a police officer that people were urinating in the bushes.

When the officer arrived Telford, who was drunk, told him to come into the bushes to watch him urinate. He swore at the officer and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Telford was taken to the police station and put in a cell where he urinated.

He was given a towel to clear up the mess but refused and in the ensuing tussle with a detention officer, he threw a punch which caught him a glancing blow on the side of the nose.

Telford pleaded guilty to assault by beating on Mr Wakeman. He denied the same charge against Mrs Wakeman but was convicted. He also admitted being drunk and disorderly and assault on the detention officer.

He had 26 previous convictions for 44 offences.

Defending, Dawn Pearson said Telford was under a Valium prescription, having suffered problems with anxiety and depression. She said he was hoping to be re-housed in a hostel out of the St Albans area.

Recorder Justin Rouse said the spitting at Mr Wakeman was a “particularly disgusting offence.” Referring to the assault on the detention officer, he said: “Police officers and public servants look to the courts to be protected from gratuitous violence by drunken offenders.”

He passed a prison sentence of 140 days suspended for 18 months with 18 months’ supervision and 100 hours unpaid work.

Telford was banned from contacting Mr and Mrs Wakeman for the next two years either directly or indirectly, and must not go to their home.

The judge warned him that if he breached the suspended sentence, he would go to prison.