A MAN who spat at his ex-partner after she refused to let him live with her during the Coronavirus lockdown has appeared at court.

Andrew Brian Dinsdale repeatedly harassed his former partner and his parents during the pandemic, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

After being told he was not welcome at his ex-partner's home he spat at her which led to her calling the police and the defendant being arrested.

Kirsty Devine, prosecuting, said: “The defendant attended his parents' address and was refused entry. He then made abusive phone calls and left abusive messages before attending his ex-partner's home and asking to stay with her.

"He was again refused entry and went on to spit at her. She called the police and the defendant was found to have a bag of cannabis on him."

Dinsdale pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault, one of possession of cannabis and two counts of harassment without violence between March 25 and March 27 this year.

In a statement read out during the hearing, Dinsdale's mother said: "Andrew is causing us a lot of stress, calling the police on our son is something we never thought we would have to do. I feel at a low point because of all of this and we are considering moving to the other end of the country to get away from it. We just want a peaceful life."

Jaxon Taylor, mitigating, said the 28-year-old had a long-standing addiction to alcohol and suffered with depression.

He added: “He had nowhere to stay during the lockdown and was essentially homeless, he asked his parents to stay with them and they said no. He felt like they were being bad parents.

"With regards to the spitting he tells me he was within one metre of his partner and if he wanted to spit at her then he would have, but he didn't, but he understands how she may have thought he was spitting at her."

Magistrates handed Dinsdale an 18-month community order and imposed a three-year restraining order against his ex-partner and his parents.

Dinsdale, of Great North Road, Chester-Le-Street, must also pay £100 compensation to his ex-partner, £90 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.