AN EGREMONT woman has been banned from contacting her mother for five years after a row over the older woman’s "drinking habits" ended in court.

Sellafield worker Aimee Ryan, 43, admitted causing criminal damage to a table that belonged to her mother, the damage resulting from the defendant slamming down a whiskey bottle during the row.

The defendant, of Moss Dalts, Egremont, denied stealing her mother’s £150 mobile phone, and this denial was accepted by the prosecution.

At Carlisle Crown Court, the offence details were outlined by prosecutor Lisa Worsley.

The victim was at her Sherwen Terrace home in Egremont home on the evening of October 15 last year when Ryan arrived and began banging on the door. She had “stormed in” before returning at 9pm, again banging on the door.

“She came into the house and stormed towards the upstairs and then came downstairs,” said the prosecutor. Neighbours called the police and as they arrived Ryan picked up a bottle of whiskey and slammed it on to the table.

This caused the end of the bottle to break, damaging the table. Ryan later admitted causing the damage, saying she was frustrated by her mother’s drinking.

Brendan Burke, for Ryan, said the defendant was a woman of previous good character who did a professional job at Sellafield.

He reiterated that the exhibition of “bad temper” was the result of the defendant’s exasperation at her mother’s “drinking habits”. “There is no contest about the restraining order,” said the barrister.

He added: “Sadly, it’s recognised that the relationship is over.”

Judge Michael Fanning noted that the case was before the crown court only because Ryan had requested a jury trial on the denied allegation that has now been dropped. He noted also the defendant’s previous good character.

The judge said: “It was criminal conduct, and you recognise that with your prompt guilty plea.” He imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered that she pay her mother £300 compensation for the damaged table.

Imposing a five-year non-contact restraining order, the judge told Ryan: “It’s necessary to keep away from your mother.” If her mother tries to contact her, Ryan must ignore any such overture, added the judge.

The sentence means the defendant will not be punished provided she stays out of trouble for the next year.