A teenager who breached a restraining order by stalking and burgling his mother has avoided jail.
Ryan McHale harassed his own mum and caused "significant distress" by turning up to her home on several occasions and even burgled it and stole her mobile phone. The 18-year-old also pestered his ex-partner by turning up to her home and throwing stones at her window before following her.
During offences against his mum, McHale caused damage to her rented property, with resulted in her losing her tenancy due to the issues. The offences were committed in January this year.
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On Monday, McHale, of Elm Terrace, Catchgate, Annfield Plain, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for two counts of stalking, burglary and theft, and breach of a restraining order. He had pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court heard that on January 18 this year, McHale was made subject of a restraining order against his own mother, but within a week, he entered her County Durham home and stole her mobile phone. David Robinson-Young, prosecuting, said overnight between January 26 and 27, he went back to her home on "several occasions" and caused "significant distress".
Between January 5 and January 24, McHale also went to the address of his former partner, where he "shouted outside her window and threw stones at windows". Mr Robinson-Young said he was "persistently contacting her and following her, causing fear of violence".
The court heard that during the offences committed against his mother, McHale, who had five previous convictions for 12 offences, caused damage to her windows which resulted in her losing her tenancy at the property.
Caroline McGurk, defending, said McHale has "mental health and cognitive difficulties" and asked for full credit for his guilty pleas. She said it was his first time in prison and that he had described the experience as "horrible".
Sentencing him, Judge Jo Kidd said he has "intellectual issues" and told him he needs to stop taking drugs. McHale was given 24 months prison, suspended for 24 months and must complete rehabilitation activity days and a six month drug rehabilitation programme. He will also have to undertake a 33 day building better relationships programme.
Two new 18 month restraining orders were also imposed.
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