A SOUTH Shropshire businessman breached a court order preventing him from contacting his estranged wife, a court heard.

Darren Brookshaw, 51, was also found in possession of a shotgun without a valid certificate.

Magistrates at Telford heard last week the non-molestation order was imposed earlier in May to prevent him contacting Karen Brookshaw following reports he had gone missing.

But a few days later Brookshaw sent social media messages to his wife commenting on their relationship.

Brookshaw, of Priest Weston, near Chirbury, who admitted both offences, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £185 costs.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the shotgun.

The court heard that under the non-molestation order Brookshaw was banned from contact with his wife except through her solicitor relating to the shooting business which, until recently, they had run together and which was £40,000 in debt.

Miss Abigail Hall, prosecuting, said Mrs Brookshaw had relocated away from the family address to get away from the defendant due to his alleged controlling and abusive behaviour.

On May 4, there were reports to the police that the defendant was missing and that he wished to harm himself and Mrs Brookshaw was granted the non-molestation order the following day.

Between May 9 and 12, Brookshaw sent an email to his wife's lawyer and social media messages to her about their 20-year marriage.

Checks were made to locate the defendant at his home and in the Chester area and he was eventually seen on the A483 in Chirk where he was arrested.

When police searched his home they found the side by side shotgun in the loft. Brookshaw’s gun had licence had previously expired and he told officers the weapon had belonged to his late father.

Miss Emma Lineton, for Brookshaw, said it had been a huge shock to her client when his wife returned from holiday in Australia and left him and made allegations to the police.

She said that Mrs Brookshaw had been responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and her client was now in dire financial straits but appreciated his behaviour was inappropriate.

"His arrest and detention brought home the seriousness of the situation," said Miss Lineton.