ALAN MICHAEL JACKSON SENTENCED IN DURHAM FOR BREAK-IN AND THREATS

A man named Alan Michael Jackson has been handed a significant prison sentence following his conviction for a series of serious offenses committed in Durham. The incidents involved a break-in at his former partner's residence, property damage, and the act of leaving a menacing message, all of which contributed to his conviction and subsequent sentencing.

Jackson, aged 29, was found guilty of multiple charges, including burglary and breaching a court-issued restraining order. The judge overseeing the case described Jackson’s actions as 'particularly nasty,' emphasizing the severity of the offenses directed at his ex-partner. The court heard that Jackson and his former partner had a tumultuous relationship characterized by violence, which ultimately led her to seek legal protection through a restraining order issued in December 2013. This order explicitly prohibited Jackson from making contact with her or approaching within 100 metres of her residence in Durham.

The incident in question occurred in June of the previous year. After her return to her home in Weardale following a brief absence, she discovered her property had been forcibly entered. The door had been broken, furniture was overturned, and various items were scattered across the premises. Disturbingly, she also found a threatening message written in toothpaste or cream on her bathroom mirror that read, 'I’m coming for you.' The victim reported that jewelry, including an engagement ring, was missing from her home. Additionally, investigators found Jackson’s fingerprints on a fruit bowl, which was part of the evidence used against him.

Jackson offered a defense claiming that he might have touched the fruit bowl at his ex-partner’s mother’s house and denied writing the threatening message. He cited his dyslexia as a reason for not being responsible for the note, asserting that he did not write it intentionally. Furthermore, Jackson claimed he was at Appleby Horse Fair during the time of the incident but returned home for a few days afterward. Despite his explanations, the jury found him guilty on all charges, including burglary and breach of the restraining order.

Judge Hickey sentenced Jackson to a total of four and a half years in prison. The sentence included three years for the burglary, an additional three months for breaching the restraining order, and a further 15 months for violating a previous suspended sentence. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of Jackson’s actions and the impact on his former partner’s safety and well-being.