Sunderland man abused family when he went home to the wrong house at 530am after a night on the booze

Mark Brown, 35, turned up at the property in Hendon, Sunderland, and caused a ruckus at the front door, a court heard.

When Brown, of Tower West Street, also Hendon, was refused access, he vanished around the back and climbed over the wall - and banged on the back door.

During the altercation, he hurled racist abuse at the husband and wife, his actions also filling their four children with fear.

Magistrates in South Tyneside have handed Brown an eight-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, for the Wednesday, February 26 incident.

Prosecutor Clare Irving said: “At about 5.30pm, the woman hears a knock at her door, there was no one there.

“There was then a knock on the back door. He was there, showing his passport and was told he must have the wrong address.

“He was then at the front door where he had two glass bottles in his hand. He was banging and kicking on the door.

“The children were inside, and they were scared.”

Ms Irving told the court he said, ‘This is my house’, and he was using racist remarks aimed at the family.

She added: “The police arrived, and he was arrested. He was found in possession of cannabis.”

Jason Smith, defending, said: “He apologised throughout the course of his interview with the police.

“He fully acknowledges that his actions were thoroughly deplorable.

“He went out with a friend and had too much to drink and had some cannabis.

“He went back to what he thought was his house and he couldn’t get the key in.

“He thought his landlord had moved other people in when he was out.”

Brown pleaded guilty to racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage and possession of cannabis.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 20 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and abide by an electronically monitored three-month 7pm to 7am curfew.

He must pay £500 compensation for damaging the front door and £200 to his victims for emotional distress, and there were £85 court costs.

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