Confrontation in city centre led to attack in front of shoppers
An alcoholic punched and kicked a man in front of shoppers after a confrontation started near a Sunderland city centre fast food joint.
Theoffencehappenedafter Dale Brown, 41, was confronted by a known foe near Burger King in Market Square.
A court heard the man repeatedly put his face close to Brown’s, who finally retaliated by getting to his feet, grabbing him - and punching him once.
Prosecutor John Graham admitted Brown, of Swan Lodge, High Street East, Sunderland, had not sparked the confrontationat3pmonSaturday, March 20.
But he said there was no excuse for his aggression – captured on CCTV - that followed soonafterattherearoftheformer Joplings store.
Mr Graham added: “To be fair to the defendant, for quite a few minutes he is not the aggressor.
“The incident goes on for some minutes. There’s quite a lot of footfall at the time, there are children and parents passing by.
“They end up in Thomas Street, and this where the crown would say Mr Brown was culpable. There is pushing and shoving and some rolling around on the floor.
“In the footage, Mr Brown delivers two punches that knock the other man down.
“Hethenkickshimwhenhe is prone. The man lies still for some seconds.”
MrGrahamsaidBrownhas
23 previous convictions, including serving an 18-month prison term in 2018 for affray.
ThecourtalsoheardBrown was subject to a community protection notice in relation
to offences of criminal damage and shop theft.
Annalisa Moscardini, defending, said: “That’s effectively what happens.
“Mr Brown was under provocation at first, but then he shouldn’t have been having a fight in the area that he was having a fight.
“A lot of it is alcohol related, he is an alcoholic.”
Ms Moscardini added Brown was receiving support forhispersonalissuesandwas responding positively.
Brown pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour and failing to comply with a community protection notice.
Magistrates adjourned the case for reports and he will be sentencedatthesamecourton June 8. He was granted bail on condition he resides at Swan House and does not enter Sunderland city centre, other than to see his solicitor.