'SON'S A BLIGHT ON SOCIETY'

A HEARTBROKEN businessman pleaded with a judge to show mercy on his
thieving, drug addict son who he admitted was "a blight on the community".

Paul Donaldson, who runs an aircraft refurbishment company, vowed to rid
son Terry of his deadly heroin habit and even give him a job at the
successful family business.

The 46-year-old took the stand at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after
Terry, 23, admitted a string of thefts across the city and in South Shields.

But despite Mr Donaldson's pledge to help his son, he was jailed for
three-and-a-half years.

Defence barrister Glen Gatland introduced Mr Donaldson, of Shearwater,
Whitburn, to the court as the addict's "unfortunate" father.

And as his son sat waiting to learn his fate, Mr Donaldson told the judge:
"It's unfortunate he's on drugs, but other than that I'm proud to be
Terry's dad when he's not under the influence."

He said he and his wife are prepared to pay for a residential
rehabilitation placement to rid his son of heroin when he is released from
jail.

And he said they are even looking into alternative therapies such as the
Nitroxil implant, which is an opiate blocker, and even acupuncture.

Mr Donaldson said: "We are willing to try absolutely every avenue open to us.

"As well as a blight on the community when he is under the influence, he is
my flesh and blood and I don't want him to die early."

The court had heard how during one of the thefts, in Thornhill Terrace,
Ashbrooke, in May last year, the owner of the vehicle returned as Donaldson
was about to make off with the car stereo.

The woman victim kept a grip on Donaldson and as a result broke a bone in
her hand by being dragged along the ground as he tried to get away.

Another car theft happened at St Peter's Metro station on August 22 last
year, where a commuter returned from work to find his car window smashed
and his chequebook stolen.

And a woman motorist at River Drive, South Shields, returned to her vehicle
on September 13 last year, to find Donaldson about to make off with her stereo.

Then on September 25, Donaldson had targeted a house in Netherburn Road,
Monkwearmouth, making off with a plasma screen TV.

Defence barrister Glen Gatland told the court: "Terry Donaldson is an
enigma. One cannot wish to meet in custody a more caring and personable
young man. The difficulty he obviously has is his drug addiction."

Donaldson, who lived with his parents in Whitburn, had admitted three
charges of theft and one of burglary. He has four previous convictions for
burglary.