A drug user twice threatened to cause damage at his mother’s home if she did not give him money to repay his debt to dealers, a court heard.

In one case Jonathan Robinson was only detained after a stand-off when police were called to his mother’s address, while in a second, less than three months later, he fulfilled his threat and damaged windows at her property when she refused to give him money.

He then fled the property and was chased and arrested by police, since when he has been detained in custody.

Robinson appeared by video link at Durham Crown Court from the city’s nearby prison, where he is on remand.

The Northern Echo:

The 29-year-old defendant, of Noble Street, Esington Colliery, admitted charges of threatening to damage or destroy property and causing criminal damage, at earlier hearings before magistrates.

Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said Robinson called at his mother’s home in Easington Colliery at about 11am on December 29, last year, asking for help with money.

As she was on her way out, she asked him to come back later, which he did, at about 3.30pm.

Mr Bevan said he was invited in for food, which he accepted, but then asked for money, to which his mother told him she could not help him.

He swore at her and told her she would have to get some money as he needed it, abusing her as he made the threat.

Robinson threatened to smash the house told his mother: “You don’t understand, they are going to kill us. I’ll get it.”

Mr Bevan said the defendant was asked to leave but refused and continued to make threats to cause damage until she gave him money.

Robinson told her the only way he would leave would be in a body bag.

His mother called the police but when officers arrived to speak to him he refused to leave and barricaded the door, at one-point shouting from the roof.

A negotiator was brought to the scene and Robinson was eventually persuaded to leave the property calmly.

His mother told police she was sick of providing her son with money and felt that if she continued to do so, he would only continue to abuse drugs and come back for more funds.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Bevan said while on bail awaiting a charging decision arising from the incident, Robinson returned to her address again, on March 14, when he also threatened to smash windows, telling his mother she had been warned and not to “call his bluff”.

In this case, he did damage two window panes and a surround, but when he was arrested and interviewed later he denied having attended at his mother’s address.

Mr Bevan said Robinson’s mother remains fearful about other people attending and told police she suffers anxiety, and often struggles to sleep.

The court heard the defendant has offences of making threats and criminal damage on his record from 2016 when his mother was also the victim.

Martin Scarborough, in mitigation, said at the age of 29 his client has a limited record and since the 2016 offences kept out of trouble for almost seven years.

“There have clearly been issues with drugs between him and his mother.

“But the Probation Service clearly takes the view he can be dealt with in the community.”

Mr Scarborough said the defendant retains the support of a sister, who attended court, and who is prepared to put him up at her address in Peterlee, so Robinson does not live too close to his mother’s address in Easington Colliery.

The court heard that he has spent the first few weeks of his life in custody as a result of his arrest after the March incident.

Judge Jo Kidd told Robinson: ”This was most unpleasant behaviour towards your mother on two occasions against a background of previous offending against her."

The judge said after the first incident in which police negotiators had to attend to talk him around, Robinson did follow through with his threat to cause damage and he was only arrested after a chase.

“I take into account you have done time on remand, your first time in prison, which has had a very serious effect on you.

“I hope it has allowed you time to reflect.

“If you continue to offend against your mother in this way you will only receive further and further time in prison.

“I have just been persuaded to draw back from the imposition of an immediate prison sentence today.”

She imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which Robinson must undergo a six-month drug referral programme and be subject of a six-month GPS monitoring tag to check on his movements.

He must also take part in 17 days’ of rehabilitation activity overseen by the Probation Service.

Judge Kidd said she hoped the GPS monitoring system will help to provide Robinson’s mother with some reassurance.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Aycliffe drug user 'lost control' as mother refused him drug money

Newton Aycliffe: Son locked mother in porch

Son held Shildon mother's dog as ransom in quest for drug money

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the The Northern Echo for just £5 for 5 months, by clicking here

She told Robinson: “If you breach this order by the commission of further offences or fail to carry out the other orders you are liable to return to this court and I will activate the sentence and send you back to prison.

“I do make that promise that I will send you to prison if you breach that order.”

Robinson thanked the judge for giving him a second chance and he pledged to comply with all the elements of the sentence.