A Birmingham man who repeatedly climbed through his parents' window demanding money for drugs has been jailed for 16 months after a court heard his behaviour left them terrified to leave their own home.
Michael Crehan, 42, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of harassment and breaching a suspended sentence for an attempted robbery at a Heron Foods store in 2024. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, October 21.
The court heard that between May and September, Crehan visited his parents' home on numerous occasions asking for cash to buy drugs. His father said he did not feel safe even mowing the lawn, while his mother described living in constant fear of him turning up unannounced.
Parents' ordeal detailed in court
Prosecutor Shane Kenny summarised the case, saying: "His parents live together. Mr Crehan has gone to their house on numerous occasions asking for money to buy drugs. His father refused saying he had already given him money. Mr Crehan returned on a number of occasions (between May and September)."
Mr Kenny told the court that on one particular day, Crehan was given £20 by his mother who hoped it would 'get rid of him', and then a further £15 by his father while dropping him home, only for him to return later that day and ask for more.
Crehan was arrested on June 14 when he was given a bail condition not to contact his parents, which he ignored.
Family living in fear
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Crehan's father said his son's drug problem had grown worse in the last two years and he needed professional help. He described feeling 'scared to leave the house' to do normal activities like mow his lawn, clean the car or paint a fence, and said he was 'constantly waiting for Michael to turn up and cause disorder'.
The dad said the couple had given him numerous chances and tried to help him with his drug addiction, adding: "Michael's behaviour has upset me massively. His drug problem has caused him to be a person we don't recognise anymore."
Crehan's mother confirmed their other children and grandchildren did not visit them as often because of the situation. She said she and her husband had argued over giving their son more chances and they were both 'scared to leave the house'.
She said: "We can't do normal things like open the window as he might climb through. I live in constant fear and stress. I love Michael and always will but it's got to the point I can't live like this anymore. He needs professional help."
Background of addiction and support loss
The court heard that Crehan fell back into drug addiction in the last two years following the death of his grandmother who raised him. His lawyer, Adam Wieczerzak, said: "He relapsed into drugs use, drug use that began when he was 13. He was encouraged into drug use by older children in the area."
The barrister said Crehan had asked himself to be remanded into prison as he saw it as the only way to get 'clean'. He confirmed Crehan was drug-free in jail and starting to rebuild the relationship with his parents over the phone. He explained that Crehan no longer had the seven-strong support network of friends he had relied upon following a stroke, which had left him essentially blind.
Crehan previously committed 56 offences but had gone 16 years without breaking the law.
Judge's sentencing remarks
Recorder Ben Williams KC told Crehan: "You persistently attended their home demanding money and causing trouble until you got your way or they called the police. This was very persistent action over a prolonged period. You caused particularly serious distress and psychological harm and changes to lifestyle."
Crehan was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the harassment charges and the breach of the suspended sentence.
