An Appleby householder was left terrified after a man smashed the window of her young daughter’s bedroom.
Craig Robertson (31) went to the woman’s town address on 6th October at a time in the early evening when several other people were present. Robertson asked whether another female was inside, and learned that she was. He went out of the building and walked to a nearby window of the occupant’s five-year-old daughter’s bedroom.
“He took his elbow back and smashed the window,” Lee Dacre, prosecuting, told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court. “The complainant ran into the living room and grabbed her daughter to protect her.” As she made sure the door was locked, Robertson tried to smash two other windows.
“The complainant described herself being terrified, shaking and angry to the point she told him she was calling the police,” said Mr Dacre.
Robertson admitted three offences when brought to court days after the incident: using threatening words or behaviour, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.
“In custody the defendant asked for a glass of water,” said Mr Dacre of the third crime. “He was passed that by a detention officer. The defendant then threw that back at the detention officer. Fortunately no injury was caused.”
Robertson, of Kings Head, Appleby, was sentenced after a district judge, John Temperley, heard from a probation officer who had interviewed the defendant.
That officer outlined a complex mental health background which required future assistance, and concluded that Robertson presented as younger than his 31 years. “He did express remorse and regret for his behaviour,” said the probation officer. “Since his arrest for this matter he has not taken any illicit drugs and has not been drinking.”
Robertson’s mental health issues, the district judge concluded, were a significant factor, which persuaded him not to impose a prison sentence. But he also noted that Robertson’s use of alcohol and illegal drugs was a key feature of his offending.
“You need to be aware that this behaviour has to stop,” the judge told Robertson, who replied: “I promise it will.”
Robertson was made subject to a six-month community order. He must complete work with the probation service, a four-week electronically monitored night time curfew and a 60-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.
“You need to make sure that, firstly, you take the help that’s being offered to you,” said the judge, “and, secondly, you keep well away from alcohol and drugs otherwise the risk is that you are going to be in trouble with the police again.”
