Sunderland dad ordered to stay away from ex after twice damaging her car and also stealing her purse

A dad has been ordered to stay away from his former partner for three years for damaging her car and stealing her purse.
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The offences happened when Gordon Kane, 32, of Sherburn Grove, Houghton, felt under considerable emotional strain after the loss of his mother around four months ago, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

But district judge Kathryn Meek told him his personal issues, and dissatisfaction that ex-partner may have a new boyfriend, were no excuse for his actions.

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At a hearing on December 2, the same court heard Kane damaged his ex’s Vauxhall Corsa on Thursday, September 26, and again three days later.

South Shields Magistrates' Court. South Shields Magistrates' Court.
South Shields Magistrates' Court.

In the first incident, he got her to stop her car while she drove by throwing a bicycle into its path.

Once inside the vehicle, he damaged the glovebox and broke the indicator and a door handle, causing £300 of damage and on leaving, pinched her purse which contained £50 and cards.

In the second incident, a hooded Kane was caught on CCTV slashing two of the car’s tyres as it stood parked outside her home costing her £110 in repairs.

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On both court appearances, prosecutor Clare Irving read a statement on his ex-partner’s behalf where she said Kane’s actions were costing her financially, and added: “Why can’t he just leave us alone? It’s impacting on the children as well.”

Jobless Kane’s first December court hearing was adjourned to give him extra time to seek professional advice, having appeared without any legal representation.

On that occasion the court was told Kane and and his former partner had been in a relationship for 11 years and have two children, but split up when he started taking drugs.

At a hearing in October, he admitted two charges of causing criminal damage and one of theft.

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In his latest court appearance, Tom Morgan, defending, said: “He instructs me that he was under enormous emotional pressure after the loss of his mother and accepts that his behaviour was totally wrong.”

Judge Meek handed Kane a three-year restraining order with the condition he does not contact or attempt to contact his ex other than by a solicitor, family court or social services.

She told him: “It’s absolutely not your business who your former partner spends her time with. You’ve got a complete inability to put your children’s needs first.

“Your former partner may or may not be seeing someone else, it’s none of your business.”

She also gave him an 18-month community order with 20 days’ rehabilitation work with the Probation Service, 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay £460 compensation and £85 court costs.