South Shields drug offender turned up to court in shorts, angering magistrate

Corey Windsor’s dress code blunder was seized on by John Lee, chair of the bench at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

He asked Windsor, 26, of Valley Lane, Marsden, South Shields, “Would you attend a job interview dressed like that?”

And he then discussed with fellow magistrates if the case against the casually dressed defendant should proceed or be adjourned.

After deciding it should go ahead, Windsor pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine and possession of cannabis.

The court was told Windsor, who was decked out in black shorts, a light green polo shirt and black trainers, was caught on Sunday, January 31.

Prosecutor John Graham said: “Information is given to police about a motor vehicle, a VW Golf.

“They had cause to stop the vehicle in Boldon Lane in South Shields, on the forecourt of a filling station.

“There were a number of occupants, and one was the defendant, who was searched.

“Officers found a small wrap of cannabis and a small wrap of what he told the police was cocaine.

“He was interviewed and accepted his wrongdoing.”

The court heard Windsor has 10 previous convictions for 19 offences, two of which are for drugs and he was last prosecuted in 2019.

Paul McAlindon, defending, said: “When I spoke to Mr Windsor today, he wasn’t quite sure why he was here.

“When he was stopped by the police, he gave full admissions of what the drugs were, and that they were for personal use.

“The police indicated to him that he was eligible for a caution for these items.

“There were matters on record which meant they couldn’t issue a caution. He accepts that he is guilty of these offences.”

Windsor was fined £40 for attempted possession of cocaine, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

There was no separate penalty for possession of cannabis, and magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Windsor, who had replied to Mr Lee’s query by saying he would wear shorts “depending” on what the job offer was, told him, “Thank you very much” on leaving court.

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