A DRUG addict who defied court orders to continue terrorising his mother and stepfather was jailed yesterday.

Rory Cochrane, 21, broke restriction orders banning him from going near his family's farm or attempting to contact his mother, Andrea Thornton, and stepfather, Ian.

They called the police several times to remove him but he continued to return, said Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting.

Once, when they heard him moving outside, they turned off the lights and tried to hide, but he peered through windows, reached through the cat flap and grabbed his stepfather's leg, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Miss Sherwin said the couple had tried to help Cochrane tackle his drug problem.

Last July he was charged under the 1997 Prevention of Harassment Act and given a 12-month conditional discharge with a 12-month restriction order on August 3 banning him from going within 100 yards of their home in Huby, north of York.

Despite three subsequent breaches and a 12-month community rehabilitation order, he was arrested and remanded in custody.

Miss Sherwin said: "His stepfather made it clear that they had, over the years, tried to help him, but they feel vulnerable and threatened."

Rod Hunt, defending, suggested that a new restriction order should be imposed.

Cochrane, of Eldon Street, York, was jailed for six months and given a further 12-month restriction order after pleading guilty to the two breaches and also a breach of a community rehabilitation order and conditional discharge.