By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 11:44, Wednesday, 13 June 2012

A man who twice flouted a court ban on him visiting his parents’ home in Carlisle has been jailed for 42 weeks.

Alan Turner, 41, twice put himself in breach of the restraining order. He pleaded guilty to both offences.

The city’s crown court heard how Turner, who has no fixed address, twice turned up at his parents’ home in Tindale Drive, Harraby.

On both occasions, he banged on their front door at around 3.30am.

In an earlier court hearing, his parents Patricia and Alan Turner had said they only feel safe when he is in jail.

The court heard how on the first occasion when Turner arrived at the couple’s home, at 3.30am, he had banged on the door.

When his father answered, he told Mr Turner senior he had been offered accommodation in Whitehaven but needed money to get there.

His father, encouraged that his son appeared to be getting help to overcome his alcohol problem, gave him £40.

Two days later, Turner was back at the front door again at 3.30am, but on this occasion his parents refused to answer.

John Smith, for Turner, said his client had used no physical violence, though his visits had caused the Turners a great deal of distress.

He said the defendant had battled against alcohol problems for a number of years, which in turn had led to him suffering physical problems.

While in custody, he recently spent four days in hospital suffering from pleurisy, said Mr Smith.

Passing sentence, judge Barbara Forrester it was clear that the defendant’s parents had suffered “significant psychological harm” as a result of his behaviour.

Earlier court hearings have been told that Turner had breached the two-year restraining order, which forbids him from going within 50 yards of the home where his parents live, on 11 occasions.

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk