A MAN who terrorised a woman and her two small children has been jailed for six months.
However, 62-year-old Dominic McGrath, already the subject of a ten-year antisocial behaviour order, will be freed within days after already serving half his sentence.
Basildon Crown Court heard yesterday Regina Subaru was in her car in Cranfield Park Road, Wickford, on March 17, with her two children – one aged eight and one 17 months.
The family were parked and waiting for the school bus to arrive when Mrs Subaru noticed McGrath crouched down by the side of the car.
He got up and began peering in through the window at her son.
McGrath, of nearby Melville Drive, Wickford, walked off, before returning and pressing his face against the car window to stare at Mrs Subaru’s son.
He then walked to the driver’s side where he began peering in at Mrs Subaru.
McGrath then ran off up the road, crouched down in the street and pretended to pick up rubbish.
Terrified Mrs Subaru called her husband who promptly arrived and police then arrested McGrath.
Prosecuting, Samantha Lower told the court: “Miss Subaru says her son, who is eight, will not walk down the road where the incident occurred.
“He is petrified of seeing the defendant again and she has to stay with him every day until the bus arrives.”
Mitigating, Nicola May said McGrath was very particular about keeping his home and the area around it tidy.
She told the court: “He didn’t set off that day with the intention of being intimidating.
“He is a very particular man in terms of keeping his home and the surrounding area tidy and that was his intention that day.”
McGrath, who has already served 85 days on remand, admitting using threatening or intimidating behaviour.
Sentencing him to six months in prison, Judge Ian Graham told McGrath he had a “history of disobedience” when it came to obeying the terms of his Asbo.
He warned McGrath he would be jailed for even longer if he appears in front of the court again.
McGrath was already subject to a supervision order and mental health programme and this was extended to January 2012.
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