Man barred from having a girlfriend
June 15, 2007
A judge has ruled that a 24-year-old Canadian man is not allowed to have a girlfriend for the next three years. The ruling came after Steven Cranley pleaded guilty on Tuesday to several charges stemming from an assault on a former girlfriend.
Cranley, who has been diagnosed with a dependent personality disorder, attacked his girlfriend in an argument after their break-up.
Cutting her phone cord
He tried to prevent her from phoning the police by cutting her phone cord and punched and kicked her. He finally stabbed himself with a butcher knife when police did arrive, puncturing his aorta.
Doctors say Cranley has difficulty coping with rejection and runs a high risk to re-offend if he becomes involved in another intimate relationship.
Justice Rhys Morgan said Cranley "cannot form a romantic relationship of an intimate nature with a female person. That is the only way I can see the protection of the public is in place until you get the counselling you need."
Cranley had already served 146 days in pre-trail custody, which Morgan said was enough jail time in this case.
His lawyer says the no girlfriend order is the first of its kind that he has encountered.
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
