A HARRASSMENT victim was so scared of her ex partner that she ran out of her house in her night gown, a court has heard.

Brian Rumley, of Clifton Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and breach of a restraining order when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, said the 43-year-old contacted the victim to tell her about some injuries he suffered after falling off his bike and then went round to her Darlington home where the pair got into an argument.

Mr Davison said Rumley refused to leave, threw a coffee table against a wall and chased his victim outside before damaging her mobile.

Ben Pegman, mitigating, acknowledged his client had broken his restraining order by visiting the woman but said he had been "invited round for tea" and it was only after the meal that they argued.

Magistrate Gary Walker sentenced Rumley to 18 weeks in prison and ordered him to pay £25 in compensation.