Drunk South Shields man kicked the wing mirror off a taxi on Christmas Day
A drunken South Tyneside man kicked the wing mirror off a taxi on Christmas Day when he was refused a lift after admitting he had no cash, a court heard.
Karl Palmer, 38, initially walked away and tried his luck with other drivers in a rank in Keppel Street, in South Shields town centre.
But when they also told him they would not give him a ride, he returned to the first cabbie and attacked his vehicle, prosecutor Christopher O’Brien said.
Soon afterwards, Palmer, of Lake Shore Road, Marsden, South Shields, went to ground but was arrested on a warrant on Saturday, January 17.
He was also wanted in connection with three thefts from Morrisons Daily in Dean Road, also South Shields, last summer.
Mr O’Brien said Palmer swiped £18 of food on Wednesday, June 25, £19 of wine on Friday, July 4, and a bottle of £9 wine on Sunday, July 13.
At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop and one each of causing criminal damage and failing to surrender to custody.
Of the criminal damage, Mr O’Brien added: “The defendant was in Keppel Street when he approached a taxi driver and spoke to him.
“He asked to be taken home but said that he didn’t have the funds to pay and would retrieve this from his home address.
“This was refused, and he then approached other taxi drivers who said the same.
“He returned to the first driver and kicked his wing mirror, causing £60 of damage.”
The court was told Palmer has 36 previous convictions from 57 offences, with seven being against the person and five thefts.
David Forrester, defending, said Palmer’s recent history included being kept on remand between Wednesday, October 22, and Monday, December 1.
Mr Forrester said this was in relation to a domestic-related case against him in Teesside which collapsed on the day of trial.
He said Palmer was then arrested on Saturday, January 17, in relation to his theft and criminal damage matters and spent 38 hours in police custody while waiting to be brought to court.
And he added: “He had had a significant problem with alcohol, and he would admit that.
“These offences were thefts of wine when he’d just come out of custody, and then there’s the ridiculousness of his behaviour with the taxi driver.
“He comes across as someone who can look after himself. At the moment, there is some support from his mum.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield told Palmer it was clear he had benefited from previous support from the Probation Service and some of his latest offences had been committed while in limbo from that.
She said to support him, she would sentence him to a 12-month community order, with 20 rehabilitation days, but she also warned he risked being jailed if he breached the order.
Judge Passfield also ordered Palmer to pay compensation of £46.90 to Morrisons and £60 to the taxi driver.