Drug addict smashed grandmother’s window after she refused to give him Christmas present early

Sean Scotter turned up at his gran's home on December 22 and asked for his gift, which was a tracksuit.

Newcastle Crown Court heard when his request was refused, the 30-year-old banged on the back door at the house until the window broke, causing £100 damage.

On January 13, Scotter turned up at his mother's house and she gave him cigarettes and tobacco she had brought back from holiday.

When he returned and asked for more but was refused, Scotter helped himself to cigarettes without permission.

In a victim statement, his gran said; "I am at the end of my tether with Sean.

"I am angry at what he has done to me and his mother.

"I am vulnerable. I can't cope with his behaviour. I have looked after him since he was young and he can still do this to me.

"Sean needs help to get off the drugs and sort his life out."

His mum said: "I am sad and sickened by Sean's behaviour and actions.

"He does ask me for help, which I would be happy to do, but he's getting worse.

"I fear the day I get a knock from the police saying he's dead due to the drugs.

"He needs to get help himself. I can't see him stopping."

Scotter, of Handley Crescent, East Rainton, who was on a suspended sentence for three commercial burglaries at the time, admitted criminal damage and theft.

He also admitted two charges of shoplifting gift sets, chocolate and Red Bull.

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced him to eight months behind bars and said what he did was "particularly mean".

The court heard Scotter had stayed away from banned substances and was doing well on the suspended sentence order but then suffered bereavements which had a "substantial impact" on him.

Helen Towers, defending, said Scotter has a large and supportive family who think his recent remand in custody has been the "best thing that has happened" and may help put him back on the right track.