Man on vodka binge shouted 'I’m going to kill you' as he tried to smash his way into neighbour's Hartlepool home

The case was heard at Teesside Crown Court.

Alan Bates, 39, had been bingeing on vodka when he turned up on the doorstep banging on the front door in Hartlepool and trying to get inside at 8.30pm on February 10.

He put the window through and was trying to break a second one as the neighbour’s daughter and partner cowered inside in fear, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Anthony Pettengell said that Bates shouted at the neighbour: “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to come in through the window.

”Interviewed the next day he said that he had been drinking vodka.”

Bates, who had convictions for 106 offences, had received two previous community orders for burglary and a public order offence.

Stephen Constantine said that the neighbour had “moved on” a long time ago and there had been no contact.

He said that Bates had no objection to being served with a restraining order to keep away from the family.

Mr Constantine added: “In his police interview he admitted he was intoxicated.

“There was an argument between him and his partner, and he interpreted his neighbour’s daughter as intervening.

“He wants help, he clearly needs help and he is clearly amenable to receiving help.”

Bates, of Everett Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and damaging property.

He pleaded not guilty to causing an affray, which was accepted by the prosecution and the judge entered a formal verdict of not guilty.

Bates was given a 12 months community order with 20 days rehabilitation requirements, and a three year restraining order not to contact the now ex-neighbour directly or indirectly.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said bates was fortunate the more serious charge was not going ahead and said he will be abcak in court if he was to breach the order.

The judge told him: “If you co-operate with probation over the next 12 months and you commit no further offences then you can move on.

“You have been fortunate that the prosecution have not proceeded on the more serious charge.

“Breach the order and you find yourself back in court.”

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