Drunken South Shields man arrested after knife warning went wrong at Newcastle's Haymarket bus station

Terence Kennedy, 46, appeared to be threatening the driver when he slurred his speech and seemed aggressive at the city’s Haymarket bus station.

Kennedy, of Dacre Street, Chichester, South Shields, was also unable to express his concerns to police called to the scene – and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, jobless Kennedy admitted drink had got the better of him on Sunday, March 7 – and apologised for his boozing.

After being handed a six-month conditional discharge, he told magistrates: “When I was at the bus station, there was a man with a knife.

“That’s what I was shouting at the bus driver. The police took it another way because I was so drunk.

“It was just my own fault for being drunk. I’m sorry, Miss.”

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told the court how the incident unfolded.

She said: “An officer was on duty and had cause to attend Haymarket bus station.

“The defendant swore. It was being directed towards one of the bus station’s bus drivers.

“He turned and began walking away but then returned in the direction of the bus.”

The court heard Kennedy has 57 previous convictions from 133 offences, several of which are for being drunk and disorderly.

He was also subject to a crown court suspended prison sentence at the time of his latest offence.

David Forrester, defending, said his client had ‘a difficult relationship with alcohol’

“He can’t remember that much of what happened,” he said.

“He says there was someone with a knife. He was trying to convey his concerns.

“He admits that he was disorderly and was drunk. He has had a difficult relationship with alcohol.

“There’s a crown court suspended sentence, but I don’t think a judge would be interested in a drunk and disorderly.”

Magistrates heard Kennedy, who pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, owes the courts £3,400 in previous fines and penalties.

They imposed no court costs or victim surcharge.

Support your Gazette and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.