An addict who repeatedly pestered his mother for money in breach of a ban on visiting her home has been jailed. William Taylor, 34, of Monks Park Way, Longbenton, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after admitting two breaches of a restraining order, criminal damage, and threatening behaviour.
Background and prior offences
Taylor was originally given a restraining order to protect his mother following a conviction for battery and criminal damage. He breached that order and received a fresh order in December 2024.
The incidents
On June 17 this year, Taylor turned up at his mother's home in Longbenton at around 8pm. He knocked on the door and asked for money. She refused and asked him to leave. He continued demanding cash and shouted through the door. She pushed £10 through the letterbox, but Taylor said it was not enough and began kicking the door, causing £60 worth of damage to the hinges.
On June 25, he returned at around 4.30pm. He again asked for money and was refused. He lost his temper, demanded coffee and milk, and kicked the door again. A neighbour in his garden saw Taylor kicking the door and shouted at him to stop. Taylor turned to the neighbour and said, 'I will f****** stab you.' The neighbour took his family inside and waited for the police.
Victim impact
In a victim impact statement, Taylor's mother said: 'He has continually been harassing me for money and this has sometimes left me short of cash. I think it's to pay for his drug addiction and the debt he owes. As his mother, I want to do the best for him but I'm starting to think he can't change his ways and I'm beginning to lose hope.'
She added that she has medical conditions and the stress he causes is not good for her health. While she loves him, she finds his behaviour difficult to deal with.
Court details
Taylor, who has 60 previous convictions including multiple breaches of the restraining order, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a restraining order, criminal damage, and threatening behaviour. For those offences and for being in breach of a suspended prison sentence, he was jailed for 16 months.
Jonathan Cousins, defending, said: 'He continues to be dogged by issues of drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues.' The court heard Taylor has schizophrenia and ADHD. A probation report said he 'appears oblivious to the impact on his mother' and misinterprets her support as an invitation to attend her home when he is banned from doing so.
