Dear John,

I have been dating a man for a week now, although i have known him about six months. He is a really nice man and we get on very well, but he told me that he had been in prison because his ex-girlfriend took a restraining order out on him and he broke it three times.

I have just been told that this man beat his ex up, and this is why he was in prison. I'm so confused and don't know what to do! I really like this man and I believe what happened in his past is his business, but should I let him know I know and give him the chance to explain?

Dear John writes:

Ooh – we all love a swine, don't we?Actually, no, we don't, and trust me love – there are far nicer blokes out there. Blokes who don't get sent to prison at all. And, in case I have to spell it out, they don't go to prison because they don't do things like incur restraining orders in the first place (let alone break them three times) or beat up their girlfriends.

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't really matter what the truth is, so there's no point confronting him about it – he doesn't come out of either tale looking like Snow White. And, as you've only been going out with him a short time, I'd quit while you're ahead and find a chap who hasn't had his collar felt instead.

Well, you did ask.

Next question: Should I let my ex back into my life?