South Shields man spared jail due to coronavirus guidelines limiting sending criminals to prison
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District Judge Sarah Griffiths told Daniel Taylor, 29, of Winskell Road, Simonside, South Shields, he was only being spared due to national recommendations to limit the number of imprisonments.
She said current advice was for only the most urgent offences to get jail time, adding: “If it wasn’t for that, I would have had no hesitation in sending you to custody.
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Hide Ad“I’m going to give you one last chance, but I hope it’s clear to you that it’s your last chance. There won’t be a second chance.”
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Taylor turned up at his father’s home in Stoker Avenue, Simonside, on Wednesday, May 27.
He drew sympathy by showing wounds from a recent attack that had left him with 14 stitches to his face – and was given £40.
But by both approaching his dad and being at his home, Taylor breached a restraining order, imposed in December 2012.
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Hide AdThe court was told it was his first breach and his visit had been entirely peaceable.
Prosecutor John Garside said: “His father has heard a voice from the back of his house, and it was the defendant asking him for money. He’s felt sorry for him and gave him £40.”
Michelle Stonley, defending, said: “He was of the view that the order had expired.
“He accepts that he went around to his parents’ house and went in the garden and asked for £40.
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Hide Ad“He had no money because he had lost his bank card and had no money for food.
“There was no violence or threats of violence, he immediately left the area. His dad felt sorry for him because of his eye.”
The court heard Taylor is due to face trial on June 30 at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on an allegation of assaulting his father.
He was rebailed on condition he does not approach his parent, does not breach the restraining order and resides at his home address.