South Yorkshire drug-user jailed for harassing his mother for money

A drug-troubled son who has repeatedly harassed his mother by visiting her home and demanding money has been locked-up.
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court - sitting at Sheffield Crown Court - heard on April 20 how Gareth James Hardy, aged 32, of Roughwood Road, Rotherham, visited his mother’s home on March 10 on Town Lane, Rotherham, and damaged a window.

Alison Goldsmith, prosecuting, said: “The victim heard banging around her property after approximately 6pm and heard the sound of smashing glass and saw the defendant pulling broken glass from the frame and saw a brick that was used to cause the damage.”

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Miss Goldsmith added Hardy has attended the address on various occasions in order to demand money saying he had drug dealers after him and he persistently returned to get money out of the victim.

Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court which has been hosting Sheffield Magistrates' Court cases during the coronavirus crisis.Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court which has been hosting Sheffield Magistrates' Court cases during the coronavirus crisis.
Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court which has been hosting Sheffield Magistrates' Court cases during the coronavirus crisis.

His mother stated Hardy was always attending her address demanding money for food or drugs and this has been affecting her physically and mentally.

Hardy, who has previous convictions for harassment against his mother, pleaded guilty to harassment between March 8 and 11 and admitted damaging a window on March 10.

Matthew Shepherd, defending, said Hardy has mental health and drug difficulties and added that people with these problems can be like homing pigeons and keep returning.

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District Judge Grace Leong told Hardy: “There was so much previous offending it leads me to believe you will not leave your mother alone.”

Hardy was sentenced to 16 weeks of custody and was ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge.

The defendant was also given a two-year restraining order.