Serial offender left South Shields guest house owner feeling 'like prisoner' after upsetting incident

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court

They believed Carl Farrell, 36, may return to their property in Beach Road, South Shields, and take revenge for informing police of his antics.

Farrell, now living at the Britannia Hotel at Newcastle Airport, smashed a window on Saturday, February 6.

He lashed out after being asked to permanently leave for breaking house rules by inviting friends in, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

Farrell caused £200 of damage - and already owes the courts £6,500 in fines and costs from previous offending, the court heard.

Prosecutor Becky Slade told the court how the incident unfolded after Farrell broke the one rule he had been asked to adhere to.

She said: “There was one rule, not to allow in any outside visitors. He had been allowing people into his bedroom.

“The injured party was told that there was damage to the defendant’s room.

“He asked Mr Farrell to leave the property permanently due to the complaints he was receiving.

“About a half-hour later, at about 3pm, Mr Farrell came back, and glass could be heard shattering.

“He was found by other residents to have damaged a window.”

In a victim statement read to the court, the guest house owner said he “felt like a prisoner in my own home” and is worried Farrell will be revengeful.

Joanne Gatens, defending, said Farrell had serious mental health issues and lashed out in part because he feared being made homeless in winter.

She added: “He suffers from psychosis and has been hospitalised many times. He struggles to contain his emotions and to deal with situations.

“If you look at his offences rate, it’s two years since a custodial sentence. The fact he’s managed to contain his offences is a credit to him.

“He felt unfairly treated when he was asked to leave. It was February in the middle of the snowstorms, and he feared being homeless.”

Magistrates ordered Farrell, who has 19 previous convictions, including seven for property damage, to pay £50 compensation.

There were no court costs or victim surcharge.

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