‘Top don’ dodges jail for second occasion
CASE AGAINST TEEN DROPPED
HE’S the self-proclaimed “top don” who taunted the law on Facebook during his time on the run.
Now, Leon Maddison is counting his lucky stars for the second time – and is again a free man.
The Chronicle can reveal the teenager was arrested less than 48 hours after narrowly avoiding jail on the back of his Facebook escapades.
After failing to turn up to be sentenced for common assault, an arrest warrant was issued – sparking a string of rambling social media posts as he ran from police.
In one, Maddison warned: “Sunderland is getting boxed clean off like”.
In another, he boasted his backside was “packed full of phones and packages”.
After Maddison was eventually caught – with the arrest filmed and posted on Facebook – the 18-year-old was handed a suspended sentence on Monday, January 14 for breaching the bail, as well as the earlier common assault against his aunt.
But police caught him less than two days later for allegedly breaching a newly-acquired restraining order against her.
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard the Gateshead teenager had sought sanctuary at his aunt’s house as he fled from a hammer-wielding gang.
His solicitor, Ian Wilson, claimed a car full of men stopped and threatened Maddison with the weapons.
The court heard he then banged on a door pleading for help before he was arrested for allegedly breaching the order prohibiting from being in the street.
But Maddison, of Eskdale Gardens, Low Fell, denied breaching the order, amid claims fleeing the violent gang constituted exceptional circumstances.
He was bailed after electing for a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. However, at a plea and trial preparation hearing, the case against him was discontinued.
The Chronicle contacted his family for comment.