A DRUNKEN man who swore at Post Office staff because a cash machine wasn’t working has been praised for turning his life around.
John Strother was asked to leave the Post Office in Keppel Street, South Shields, after being abusive to staff in earshot of customers.
But the 51-year-old would not leave and continued to swear until workers called police.
After viewing CCTV footage, Strother, of Everest Grove, West Boldon, was arrested and pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening and abusive language at South Tyneside Magistrates’ court in November last year.
But his sentence was deferred after magistrates decided to give Strother a chance to prove he could stay out of trouble.
He was told to stay out of trouble, comply with the probation service, and stay out of the Post Office branch.
After hearing from the probation service that Strother had complied with the conditions set out and was making “excellent progress” with his alcohol problems, magistrates gave him an 18-month conditional discharge.
He was also ordered to pay £150 court costs.
Chairman of the bench Neil Woodward said: “We’ve heard that you have made excellent progress which is nice to hear.
“We’re going to give you a conditional discharge, in a way to give you a break. Stick with it.”
Strother was also given an 18-month restraining order keeping out of the Keppel Street Post Office.
Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “He has complied with the conditions of the deferred sentence.
“You are used to dealing with all sorts of people at court but very rarely do you hear of someone in such glowing terms.
“The court made the bargain to give him a conditional discharge if he complied with the terms.
“He has done his bit and has the right to expect that you do the same.”