A DRUG addict who knocked a North-East woman unconscious in her bedroom and then smashed up her home was jailed for two years yesterday.

Melanie Rigby, 27, had allowed her attacker Jonathon Halpin, 30, and his girlfriend to stay at her house in Stockton, Teesside, and when they returned a few days later she let them in.

But Halpin, of Grange Road, Thornaby, ordered her into her bedroom, pushing her backwards and banging her head, causing her to pass out. She awoke to hear her property being destroyed.

Teesside Crown Court heard he returned to the room with a 3ft piece of wood and hit her across the head.

Catharine Melly, prosecuting, said Halpin told her: "You'll need stitches for that."

He asked her for money, taking £20 and also stole her mobile phone and a carriage clock.

Halpin then left with his girlfriend Nicola Vout. Miss Rigby was detained for 48 hours with concussion in North Tees General Hospital, Stockton.

Halpin was jailed for two years after he pleaded guilty to theft and actual bodily harm on August 6.

In mitigation, Stephen Constantine said that Halpin accepted he was under the influence of a number of substances, and that his attempts at rehabilitation had failed.

Judge Guy Whitburn QC told Halpin: "You are addicted to alcohol, crack cocaine and heroin, and when under the influence you behave in an appalling fashion.

"You behaved in a disgraceful way, and it is fortunate for you that the injury was not more serious than it was."