Prolific offender bragged about South Shields street attack after being caught by cops

Prolific criminal Lee Halcrow knocked his victim to the ground after a pub row spilled into a town centre street.

The 41-year-old’s attack was captured by CCTV cameras overlooking Ocean Road, in South Shields, and he was swiftly tracked down by cops.

Halcrow, who has over 100 previous convictions, told the officers: ‘I knocked him out, he’s a wife beater’.

The victim of the attack wasn’t traced.

Halcrow, of Westoe Road, South Shields, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Paul Anderson, prosecuting, said: “The footage on Ocean Road at 4.20am on Friday, June 17 showed Halcrow punching a man to the ground.

“Police arrested him at 4.30am and he was fairly proud of what he did.”

Victoria Oliver, prosecuting, said: “He says he was in a pub with the male and stepped in when he hit a female.

“When they were outside the pub, he says the male lunged at him and he overreacted.”

The case was adjourned until July 15 for probation reports to be prepared.