South Tyneside crime round-up: 'Evil' Facebook attacker, £17m drug haul plus landmark drink ban

As ever, crime never stops across South Shields and South Tyneside - and it’s fair to say, it never pays either, as these criminals found out the hard way.

Here’s every story we’ve published from the dock and beyond, including

'Life will never be same' - Facebook attacker branded 'cold & evil' for South Shields assault

A "cold and evil" brute has been put behind bars for two shocking attacks on a woman he met through Facebook.

Brian Chilcott already had a history of attacking three former partners when he started a relationship with his latest victim, after chatting with her over social media last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard one explosion of violence happened at a hotel in Northumberland, where staff later discovered blood on the wall and bed after she was assaulted "through the night".

The second attack happened at the victim's home in South Tyneside and left her "absolutely terrified of what he's capable of doing".

Chilcott, 39, of Sydnam Court, Kelso, Scotland, admitted two charges of assault and one of criminal damage, has been jailed for four years and given a 15-year restraining order.

In an impact statement, bravely read in court herself, the victim said she is "absolutely terrified of what he's capable of doing" and said meeting Chilcott was the "worse mistake i've ever made in my life."

She added: "My life will never be the same again, I will never be the same person.

"I have never met someone so cold and evil in my life."

South Tyneside drug dealer caught with £17,000 cannabis haul after cops act on tip-off

A South Tyneside drug dealer was caught with £17,000 of cannabis after he and his partner in crime were busted by police, a court heard.

Robert Winter, 34, was a passenger in a Nissan being driven by Shaun Bristow, 56, and pulled over by officers in South Shields on Friday, March 28 last year.

Cannabis with an estimated street value of £14,400 was found, along with a mobile phone detailing drug trading, prosecutor Paul Anderson said.

And when police searched Winter’s home, they located another batch of the prohibited class B drug, valued at £2,380, borough magistrates heard.

Winter, of Farne Avenue, Horsley Hill, South Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug.

The offender, who has a single conviction from 2013, had his case adjourned for reports and for a drug and alcohol assessment.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, August 11.

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Desperate South Tyneside woman raids Greggs for food after her benefits cut

A South Tyneside woman pinched a sandwich and drink from Greggs in desperation after her benefits were cut to £24 a fortnight, a court heard.

Stacey Allen, 38, targeted the firm’s King Street branch in South Shields, and made off with goods totalling £4 on Tuesday, October 7.

And when her benefits were again sanctioned six months later, she repeated the trick but at a Marks & Spencer outlet, prosecutor Paul Anderson said.

On that occasion, on Saturday, April 11, Allen, of Whitehead Street, Tyne Dock, stole two bottles of wine – totalling £36 in value - from its store in Chester-le-Street.

Borough magistrates were told she had no offending record until the age of 36, when personal issues led her into crime.

Allen committed one of her theft offences while subject to both a community order and a conditional discharge.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of shop theft – and magistrates admitted they were slightly baffled how to deal with her case.

After deliberations, they revoked her current community order and replaced it with an updated one – and ordered her to fully compensate the retailers.

Magistrates made Allen, who owes £9,000 from previous court matters, subject to a 20-month community order, with 25 rehabilitation days.

There were no court costs, but Allen must pay full compensation to the two retailers.

Street drinker banned from South Shields town centre following landmark court order

A significant step forward has been made to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) linked to street drinking in South Shields town centre as a court issues a banning order against a persistent offender.

South Tyneside Council secured its first ever Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against Steven Smith, 43, following a successful prosecution at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Smith, of no fixed abode, was convicted in his absence of two counts of failing to comply with a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on April 15 and May 5 on Ocean Road.

He was also found in breach of a Community Protection Notice (CPN), which again was committed on Ocean Road on May 4.

The landmark CBO places strict conditions on Smith, including banning him from entering key areas of South Shields town centre and Chichester.

It also prohibits him from consuming alcohol in public places and requires him to engage with support services to address alcohol misuse.

The court heard that Smith is part of a cohort of street drinkers responsible for repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour, including disorderly conduct and behaviour in public spaces which has caused alarm and distress to others.

Incidents of fighting, arguing, approaching the public for money, urinating in the street, shouting, swearing and buying alcohol for minors have all been reported.

The CBO was granted on an interim basis, with a full hearing with Smith’s presence scheduled for next month.

Once confirmed, the order will remain in place for a minimum of two years and could result in a custodial sentence if breached.

Smith was also ordered to pay a £180 fine, £270 in costs and a £72 victim surcharge.