Halstead dad forced to barricade son into bedroom amid crime

Jade Shaughnessy left her blood stained on the walls and carpet of her former husband’s house in Tidings Hill, Halstead, as she forced entry in front of their young son.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard when the 33-year-old sales administrator arrived at the property on June 1, the victim bolted the front door and told the child not to open it.

This frustrated Shaughnessy who, despite being asked by the homeowner to leave, called to their son to open the door before arming herself with a brick.

Shefa Begum, prosecuting, said: “The victim saw her pick up a brick from the driveway and run towards the door, whacking it on the door.

“She then threw the brick and it bounced from the door, hitting his vehicle. The victim moved himself and his son away from the window and the bolt came off the front door as she was hitting it.”

Criminal damage - the incident took place in Halstead

Ms Begum said the police arrived and arrested Shaughnessy who was shouting “let me in, I want my son” after the victim took the child upstairs and barricaded them in.

Chairman of the bench Samuel Harrison said having seen the evidence, there was a “considerable” amount of damage caused to the front door, window and a bedroom door.

Shaughnessy, of Sudbury Road, Halstead, admitted one count of criminal damage at court on Tuesday and a restraining order was made against the victim.

She must also pay him £450 in compensation and £105 in costs.

Jakki Upton, mitigating, argued the victim had a history of domestic violence against Shaughnessy, but admitted she had become “upset and emotional” on the day in question.

“She wanted to pick her child up and her ex-partner was refusing to do that,” said the defence barrister.

“He wouldn’t speak to her and so she began to get upset and emotional. She suffers from depression and anxiety.

“This was a one-off. They’d had arguments and Ms Shaugnessy went through the red mist because she was desperately worried about her son.”