A man who laid down in front of a social worker’s car and banged on her window has been jailed.

Michael John Kewley, of Farvane Close, Anagh Coar, admitted provoking behaviour and was sentenced to three months in custody by magistrates.

Chairman of the magistrates David Nash told Kewley: ’Whatever you thought of what she was doing, she was just doing her job.

’To bang on her car window and lie down in front of it must have been terrifying for her.’

We previously reported that on Sunday, December 23, a woman from social services was at an address in Viking Road in Willaston. Kewley arrived at the address and was said to have told the woman: ’I’m not threatening you.

’The only people in danger are you and the police if you come near me or my children.’

The woman left and got in her car but Kewley was said to have followed and started banging on the car shouting ’open the door’.

Kewley, aged 38, was then said to have lain down in front of the car as the woman attempted to drive away from the property.

Banged

The woman had to call 999 as Kewley again banged on the car and appeared to be holding his phone out filming.

When police arrived Kewley told them the woman had provoked him.

He said he had spoken to the social worker and said: ’If they are a problem I will be a problem.’

Kewley said he had followed her outside because she had not answered a question then she had driven into his leg causing him to fall over.

He said he filmed the incident because he felt threatened.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court that Kewley had a large number of previous convictions for a range of offences.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough handed in references on behalf of her client and she asked for credit to be given for his guilty plea.

Ms Myerscough referred magistrates to matters in a probation report which she said she would not go into in open court.

’Mr Kewley is actually a gentleman who needs help and assistance. Prison and custody have their place.

’For some people they are rehabilitation.

’But for other individuals, such as Mr Kewley, they require something different.

’I believe that probation is the best chance of rehabilitation.’

Ms Myerscough went on to say that Kewley could undergo dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), a form of psychotherapy which was not available in custody.

Pressures

The advocate said her client had been under severe pressures in the December when the offence occured.

’He can only apologise,’ said Ms Myerscough. ’

’There has been no repeat of this behaviour.

’He understands this was a lady who was doing her job.’