Daniel O'Donnell has spent months in custody waiting for harassment sentence, court hears

A judge voiced his frustrations at the delays in the case which has been hit by a combination of factors including waiting for a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service on whether Daniel O'Donnell would face further charges. 

Judge Martin Jackson said they were reaching the point O'Donnell may have even served the time in prison at HMP Hewell he would have received for the offence.

COURT: Daniel O'Donnell pictured in 2016

O'Donnell previously admitted at Worcester Magistrates Court to harassment in breach of a restraining order. The offence took place on November 11 last year, after the restraining order had been imposed by the courts on April 13 that year.

The 26-year-old was given bail but was taken into custody after admitting breaching his bail conditions when he handed himself into police on March 10.

At the start of the latest hearing of the case on Friday, (August 26), the judge said the purpose was to hear a bail application and to fix a date for a Newton hearing - when two sides differ on something, and the judge is tasked with establishing which is true.

READ MORE: 'Traffic cone man' awaits sentence for harassment

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But, the judge said, the court had now been notified by police the defendant is set to be charged with another offence. 

After submissions were made by David Jackson, prosecuting, and Robert Tollhurst, defending, Judge Jackson said he was granting conditional bail. 

O'Donnell, who did not appear at the latest hearing, has bail conditions that include not to contact the victim directly or indirectly and he follows the curfew to his address in Park Avenue, Worcester. 

CUSTODY: Daniel O'Donnell has been at HMP Hewell for four months awaiting sentence (Image: Newsquest)

At the end of the hearing the judge said: "He (O'Donnell) has spent four months in custody awaiting a trial of issue on his guilty plea.

Judge says next hearing of Daniel O'Donnell's case 'could be months away'

"I am concerned the disposal of this case is being delayed significantly, particularly because of waiting for a decision from the CPS, and a previous hearing was ineffective because of the criminal bar action.

"We are now rapidly reaching a point he has served a length in custody he would be getting other than on his basis of plea."

The judge added he would not fix a date for the next hearing at the crown court, adding there was the potential that could be months away.

Daniel “Dod” O’Donnell made national headlines in 2016 after drinking on a night out in Worcester city centre and wearing the cone on his head - leading to him being given a conditional discharge by Worcester magistrates.