COUNTY - Trying to "friend" his ex on Facebook after being ordered not to contact her has landed a Conquerall Bank man in jail for 14 days.

 Paul Donald Rhodenizer, 36, appeared in Bridgewater provincial court in custody December 30 and admitted breaching an earlier conditional sentence order.

 Back on December 3, he was placed on a six-month order which included a term to have no contact with his ex.

 Mr. Rhodenizer's supervisor warned him after he invited his ex to be his Facebook "friend" on December 23. When he did it again on December 26, along with asking their son to "tell her I love her," he was arrested.

 In court last week, Crown attorney Lloyd Tancock said people have to see that there are meaningful consequences if they breach conditional sentences.

 He joined legal aid lawyer Nicholas LeBlanc in recommending that the conditional sentence be suspended for 14 days, which Mr. Rhodenizer will serve in jail, and then resume.

 Judge Gregory Lenehan endorsed that recommendation, saying he'd already given Mr. Rhodenizer a break by not jailing him on December 3.

 "I can tell you, Mr. Rhodenizer, I'm not a happy camper," the judge said, pointing out that it's difficult to put people on conditional sentences only to have them brought back to court for breaching the orders a short time later.

 "I understand the time of year. I understand the emotions," Judge Lenehan added. "But you have got to understand, sir, that ... she is no longer interested in a relationship with you other than to be the mother of your children."

 The judge warned Mr. Rhodenizer that another breach would likely result in the conditional sentence being terminated and him serving the remaining time in custody.

 "You don't get three strikes," Judge Lenehan said.

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posted on 01/04/11