Drinker blames alcohol for 83 crimes
A CRIMINAL with more than 80 offences to his name told a court “every time I am in trouble, it’s the drink”.
Jeff Taylor made the claim as he apologised for his behaviour over video link from Nottingham prison.
The 32-year-old held his hand up during the prosecution’s opening statement and was asked by Judge John Burgess what he wished to say. That is when he blamed alcohol.
His latest offences saw him spit at a police officer and cover the inside of a police van with saliva following his arrest.
Jailing him for 18 weeks at Derby Crown Court, Judge Burgess said: “You need to stop drinking because when you drink you behave like this. Police officers have a difficult enough job to do as it is and spitting is a disgusting thing to do.”
Catherine Picardo, prosecuting, said officers were called to an incident at Taylor’s mother’s home on February 23. No charges were brought but when they arrived the defendant was “heavily intoxicated” and arrested.
Miss Picardo said: “As he was being driven to the station he was spitting repeatedly in the cage he was being held in, inside the police van, despite being told not to.
“When they arrived at the police station, he continued to be agitated and, once in the police cell, two officers stood outside it because they were concerned about his behaviour. He was spitting in the cell and one of the officers told him to stop it but he spat at the officer.”
Taylor, of Salisbury Drive, Midway, admitted spitting and criminal damage. He has 30 convictions for 83 offences.
After being asked what he wished to say over the link, the defendant replied: “I feel very deeply appalled about my actions and I am sorry for them. Every time I am in trouble it’s the drink and I am very ashamed.”
Phillip Plant, defending, said: “He knows it was unpleasant and he expresses his remorse. His mother and his partner have both suffered Covid and he tells me his partner has been moved from the Royal Derby Hospital to one in Coventry where she has been put on a respirator.”