Son given prison warning after breaching restraining order by visiting mam
A son banned by a court from attending his mum’s Washington home has paid the price for turning up twice uninvited – spending a weekend in police cells.
Jason Rogers, 26, was arrested after handing himself in to officers on the night of Friday, March 13 – two days after the offence.
But the homeless offender did not appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court until lunchtime on Monday, March 16.
And it could get worse if he breaches his restraining order by going to her home again – with a judge warning he may be jailed.
Rogers got himself into trouble by going there first at 1pm on Wednesday, March 11, prosecutor Glenda Beck said.
He was refused entry but stayed several hours before briefly leaving, only to return between 6pm and 7pm - and again being told to go away.
The 18-month restraining order allows him to meet his mother at a time and place of her choosing but not to go to her property.
It was imposed in September, following his conviction of charges of battery and criminal damage against her.
Mrs Beck added: “His mum heard a knock at the door and was informed by her other son that the defendant was outside.
“He said that he was attending due to his mental health. He was asked to leave but refused and sat on the step.
“He stayed for several hours and returned and knocked on the door.
“His mum informed him he wasn’t invited and that he wasn’t going to be allowed to enter the property. He stayed a couple of hours.”
Rogers pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment – breach of a restraining order.
He also admitted two counts of drug possession and one of being drunk and disorderly in Mardale, Albany, Washington, on Tuesday, September 2.
The court heard he was found with class B cannabis and class C pregabalin, and was intoxicated.
David Forrester, defending, said: “He handed himself in to police on Friday evening, which has led to him spending almost three days in custody.
“In a prepared statement, he said he had addiction and mental health issues and was feeling suicidal and had not harmed anyone.
“He asked his mum to call the police, as he thought they could help him.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield fined Rogers £120 for the breach of the restraining order and £40 for possession of cannabis.
She imposed no separate penalty on the other charges, but Rogers must pay £85 court costs and a £64 victim surcharge – and the drugs will be destroyed.
Judge Passfield told him: “I give you full credit for your guilty pleas and I’ve also taken into account the fact you’ve been in police custody since Friday, which is almost the equivalent of a seven-day sentence.
“This is the first time you have breached this restraining order. It must be the last. If you’re here again for another breach it will almost certainly be a prison sentence.”