South Shields drink-driver's bizarre and brutal threats to unknown accusers

Shaun Taylor, 37, told officers after his arrest: “I’m going to cut their throats, I’m going to blow up their houses. They are rats from South Shields.”

Taylor, of Claypit Close, in South Shields town centre, was spotted driving in Mortimer Road at 10.30pm on Sunday, September 13.

He then nipped into nearby Stanhope Parade, where officers signalled for him to pull over, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor said he refused to provide a breath sample as required by law – and also spoke derogatorily about magistrates who would later sentence him.

Taylor has now been disqualified from driving for three years, having served a 12-month ban for drink-driving in 2017.

Ms Taylor said: “Police received an anonymous call about a possible drink-driver leaving Mortimer Road.

“Officers searched the area and found the defendant driving along Stanhope Parade. They signalled for him to stop, which he did.

“When they speak to him, it’s obvious that he was intoxicated. He then failed to provide.”

It was while on the way to the police station that Taylor let out his bizarre rebuke to his anonymous accuser or accusers.

The court heard Taylor, who has 30 previous convictions from 42 offences, refused further requests to provide a sample of breath.

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said his client had been stopped several times by police in the weeks leading up to the offence.

He said officers who stopped Taylor had also claimed he was joyriding and skidding, but there was no proof and it did not form part of the prosecution case.

Mr Smallcombe added: “He has served several long sentences for different offences. He does accept it was a failure.

“This is going to cause him some problems. It’s a guilty plea at the first opportunity.”

Taylor, who pleaded guilty to failing to provide, was also made subject to a 12-month community order.

It has a requirement of up to 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

He must also do 80 hours of unpaid work and pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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