Restraining order for man who terrorised girlfriends

RESTRAINING ORDER FOR MAN WHO TERRORISED GIRLFRIENDS

A judge issued a final warning to Wayne Crick, who had been found guilty of terrorizing two former girlfriends through separate harassment campaigns.

Crick was not sentenced to prison because Angela Nelson, 41, chose to forgive him and expressed a desire to continue their relationship.

Instead, he received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a year of Probation Service supervision.

He was also ordered to perform 150 hours of unpaid community service.

Crick admitted to harassing shop assistant Sharon Wood, aged 40, and vandalizing her home in Peterlee last August.

Furthermore, he pleaded guilty to harassing Ms Nelson after a late-night dispute in February.

Judge Tony Briggs warned Crick that his actions had caused fear and distress, emphasizing that this was his last chance: "If you come before me again, you will be sent away." The court outlined that the issues began after Crick and Ms Wood, after a 13-year relationship, separated.

During that time, he sent threatening messages and acted physically aggressive, including an incident where he was found straddling her in bed with his hand around her neck.

Following the breakup, Crick entered a new relationship with Ms Nelson and stayed at her residence on Dundee Road.

Their relationship turned sour after an argument in early February, which prompted police involvement.

Crick was removed from the house but made multiple attempts to re-enter.

His legal representative stated that Crick had learned his lesson after spending approximately six months in detention and assured that this would be his last court appearance.

A restraining order was also issued to prevent Crick from approaching Ms Wood, underlining the severity of his conduct, which the judge described as frightening and alarming.