(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
A man was caught on CCTV trying to get into his ex-partner’s home after their marriage ended.
A security alert warned Christopher Greenwell’s ex-partner that he was at her Darlington home while she was on holiday.
She asked a friend to check the house, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor Syed Ali said the 49-year-old returned the next day and was caught on camera trying to unlock the patio doors.
“The CCTV was activated at her address and she received a notification, so she asked a friend to call around,” he said.
“The following day, she received another notification and saw the defendant in the rear garden, trying to get in.
“In that footage, he was attempting to put a key into the lock of the patio doors.”
After his arrest, Greenwell used his father to tell his ex-partner he was selling the house on June 4.
Mr Syed said it was Greenwell’s third breach of the non-molestation order.
The woman said in a victim impact statement that Greenwell’s behaviour was affecting her and her two children.
She said: “I don’t feel safe because I don’t know what he will do next.”
Greenwell, of Birchmere, Spennymoor, admitted breaching the court order on May 26, May 27 and June 4.
His lawyer, Ben Pegman, said Greenwell’s mental health deteriorated after his marriage broke down.
Bench chairman Professor Ian Neal said: “The most significant thing for you is that you really, really frightened her and that’s something that you don’t want to be doing – it really has to stop.
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“You could have been sent to prison for these offences and you know that.”
Greenwell was given an 18-month community order and a two-year restraining order.
Prof Neal said: “If you come back to court with another breach, it is likely that you won’t be going home that night.”
Greenwell was also ordered to pay £199 in court costs.