A MAN threw a paving slab through the kitchen window of a woman he had earlier argued with, a court heard.

Andrew Robert McLean had been drinking wine with the woman at his home in Ashton Street, Easington Colliery, earlier on June 27.

Durham Crown Court was told they had been in a relationship for about four years, but the woman described it as having been, “toxic and volatile”.

Jonathan Harley, prosecuting, said she thought he was “paranoid”, alleging she had been cheating on him.

Mr Harley said McLean’s mood deteriorated and he began to verbally abuse the woman, to the point that she decided to leave and return to her home, in Charles Street.

She was later lying in bed watching television at about midnight when she heard him shouting abusively outside her home.

In response she told him to go away, but a short time after that she heard the sound of smashing glass downstairs.

She went down to see he had thrown a paving slab through the kitchen window, causing a large hole in the glass.

It was reported to police and officers made a search of the area, finding McLean roaming around Station Road at about 12.20am.

Mr Harley said as an officer was speaking to him he noticed a lump in his clothing and found a small knife and screw driver.

A larger serrated bread knife, up to 10in long, was recovered from his left sleeve.

McLean told the officers he was carrying it, “for his protection”, but went on to make full admissions as to his actions earlier.

Two days later he admitted criminal damage and possessing a bladed article in public before magistrates.

The court was told McLean, 36, has 61 convictions for 121 offences and was made subject of an 18-month sentence suspended for two years at the court in June last year for possessing an offensive weapon and two counts of criminal damage.

Jane Waugh, in mitigation, said he had written a letter to the judge saying he could see no way forward and wanted to go back to prison.

Following setbacks in his life he had returned to drink and drug taking during the lockdown, having abstained for some time.

“He will lose his home and job and he’s very sorry for what he did, but he had a mental health breakdown at the time.

Judge James Adkin imposed a total prison sentence of 23 months, including 15 months activated from the previous sentence.

 

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