A MAN has appeared at court after harassing a woman whilst drunk and smashing her living room window.

Simon Collins appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to harassment, breach of a restraining order and criminal damage on Sunday, October 11.

Jonathan Hanratty, prosecuting, said a restraining order was imposed against the defendant in August.

He said: “[A witness] heard shouting in the street and looked outside and saw the defendant. She closed the curtains and then heard a smashing noise. The defendant had smashed the window.

“He was shouting at a woman inside the house telling her to ‘go back to Turkey with her boyfriend’.”

David Bennett, mitigating, said his client was in drink at the time of the offence and “dealing with unresolved issues relating to the breakdown of his relationship with his ex-partner.”

Collins, of Shinwell Crescent, Thornley, was fined £80. He must also pay £34 victim surcharge and £135 compensation for the window.