Radio DJ Kershaw pleads guilty to harassing wife and drink-driving

The radio DJ Andy Kershaw said he had "lost everything" yesterday after he admitted to hounding his ex-partner and drink-driving. He was appearing in court for breaching a restraining order.

Struggling to compose himself, Kershaw said: "I've lost my kids, I've lost the woman I love, I've lost everything. It's a very difficult time for me. I just want peace and quiet."

The 48-year-old, who works for BBC Radio 3, was in court in the Isle of Man after the split from Juliette Banner, the mother of his children. The couple had moved in April last year from London to the island to set up home. The move did not work out and Ms Banner moved to another house in the town, with their two children, Sonny, aged nine, and Dolly, aged eight.

On 1 August, she won the 12-month restraining order in court. But Kershaw was arrested by police and spent six days in prison after trying to enter her home on 29 August.

He admitted causing fear, alarm or distress to her and another person, Jim Imrie, whose relationship with Ms Banner was not made clear.

Kershaw is also banned from entering pubs and restaurants selling alcohol, after admitting drink-driving on 13 September in Peel – the town in which they moved on the island – when he was stopped by police behind the wheel of his Toyota Previa car.

Kershaw spoke only to confirm his name and address and enter his guilty pleas during the five-minute hearing. The court heard that, on 1 August, he was convicted under the Protection from Harassment Act, and banned from approaching Ms Banner but broke the order the same month.

Fifteen days later, he was arrested and admitted in court to being over the drink limit while driving.

Kershaw's solicitor, Nigel Cordwell, asked for the case to be adjourned for the preparation of reports. The Deputy High Bailiff, Alastair Montgomerie, told Kershaw: "You have pleaded guilty to these two offences. I have not heard the facts. Based on the advice of Mr Cordwell, requesting the matter be adjourned for the preparation of social inquiry reports, I agree with that application and I am adjourning this case until Tuesday, 9 October."

Kershaw was bailed on condition that he does not drive a car, co-operates with the Probation Service, observes a 9pm to 7am curfew and does not enter pubs or restaurants selling alcohol. He must also continue to not contact Ms Banner.

He replied, "No problem" to the conditions before leaving court.

The BBC would not comment on the case yesterday, saying only that it is a "personal matter".