A Hemel Hempstead woman who left her mother in a “constant state of anxiety through a reign of terror” was jailed for 24 months yesterday.
Danielle Harrison, 21, caused her mother to install CCTV and extra locks on her home in Stevenage.
Prosecutor Liam Edwards told St Albans crown court that magistrates made restraining orders in September last year and February this year banning her from contacting her mother or going to her address in Chepstow Close.
But in March the mother started to receive calls from Danielle Harrison on a withheld number. “She rang her 61 times on March 22 and 23, putting 141 in front of the number to ensure it was withheld,” he said.
Harrison, who had a history of drink and drug abuse, contacted her sister saying: “Tell mum to answer or I will overdose.”
At 1.27 in the morning on April 18 she banged on her mother’s front door and shouted through her letterbox: “Mum, I just want to talk.”
The police were called and she was arrested nearby on Fairlands Way.
In a victim personal statement, the mother said there had been a history going back three years in which there was a repeated cycle of Harrison being released from prison, harassing her, damaging her property and making threats.
The prosecutor told Recorder Patrick Fields: “She said she lives in constant anxiety from a reign of terror and has been left helpless and petrified, suffering numerous panic attacks. She has installed CCTV and extra locks.”
Harrison, of Torridge Walk, Hemel, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order. She admitted being in breach of two suspended sentences. She had 37 convictions for 89 offences in the last 4 years.
Defending, Alec Williams said she had knocked on her mother’s door and had not caused damage, saying only: “I want to talk to you.”
He said that when sober she was likeable and wished to start her life again. While on remand in prison for the last 10 weeks she was making progress.
He went on: “She has no wish to have contact with her mother. She understands that it is a toxic relationship.”
Jailing her, Recorder Fields said: “The common thread is drug abuse, more particularly alcohol abuse and repeatedly ignoring court orders.
“What makes tragic reading is what your mother has to say as to the effect of the offences on her. She has lost her peace of mind and is in constant fear of you attending her home.”
The judge made a restraining order banning her from contacting her mother or going to her address for five years.
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