Middlesbrough man broke into ex-partner's Hartlepool home at 4am after she made complaint to police

David Manby got into the woman’s Hartlepool home at 4am and intimidated her over a statement she had given to police, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 38-year-old intruder acted in a threatening manner to try to get her to drop an allegation of breaching a restraining order against her.

She secretly called the police while Manby was in her bedroom and he was heard to shout about her complaint.

The court heard he had only recently been released from prison for domestic violence.

Prosecutor Kathryn Wetherley said: “The victim was at home asleep at 4am. When she woke up he was standing in front of her.

“She doesn’t know how he got there.”

On the call to police, Manby was overheard saying: “You’re scared what I will do to your family. What I will do to your children.”

He tried to hide in the loft when officers came, but was arrested.

He later pleaded guilty to breach of a 12-year restraining order and witness intimidation.

In an impact statement his ex-partner said: “I have lived in constant fear of what he might do next.”

Regarding the incident in her bedroom on August 18 this year, she said: “Waking up in the early hours of the morning to find David standing in my bedroom was terrifying.

“My home is supposed to be the one place where I feel safe. I felt trapped, frightened and powerless.”

In mitigation, Tyler Plunkett said: “He accepts that his behaviour on this particular day, in these circumstances by their nature was threatening.”

But he said Manby did not make any threats of violence.

Mr Plunkett added Manby was studying towards future employment and added: “His intention is he is not to have any further contact with the complainant at all.”

Judge Richard Clews said: “These offences are so serious they can only be dealt with by a sentence of immediate imprisonment.”

He jailed Manby, of Oak Hill, in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, for 30 months.