The new trial that will strike fear into the hearts of thugs in Greater Manchester

A man who was made subject to a new form of court order as part of a trial has been locked up after breaching it just days later.

Greater Manchester is one of just three police force areas where Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) are being piloted. Issued by courts they are protective orders which can place restrictions on someone to protect a victim or alleged victim of abuse.

Michael Mitchell, 46, was slapped with a DAPO after being accused of domestic related offences. The prosecution against him was dropped after the alleged victim withdrew her support. But a police application for an order, which do not require a conviction, was successful.

Within days, Mitchell failed to attend Bury police station to sign on, which was one of his conditions, and also attended the woman's home on Boxing Day. Mitchell, of no fixed abode, was arrested and hauled back before the courts, where he was jailed for eight months.

GMP are now hoping to have the order extended beyond his custody period to 'ensure the victim is safeguarded even when Mitchell is released.'

A DAPO may be made by a court during ongoing criminal, family, or civil proceedings. Applications can also be made by the police, by a victim themselves or by a third party. There is no minimum or maximum period they can be in place for, and include mandatory notification requirements as well as a number of potential prohibitions.

These could include could include stopping a perpetrator from coming within a specified distance of a victim’s home and/or any specified premises, such as a workplace. They can be monitored with an electronic tag and breaching them is an arrestable, criminal offence.

They do not require someone to be convicted meaning it can allow police to