Naked man attacked a building with golf club as staff looked on
A naked attacker armed with a golf club struck fear into social workers by using it to smash away at their building as they stood outside watching in horror.
Curtis Lawton, 21, ran at the Next Steps site in Sunderland with his shorts in his hand – and proceeded to hit a window with the metal sports stick.
Lawton, of no fixed abode, did so in frustration after d i s c ove r i n g h e h ad b e e n temporarily housed with sex offenders without his knowledge, a court heard
M a g i s t r at e s i n S o ut h Tyneside were told he had pleaded to be moved – and attacked the building when his request was denied.
His actions, at 10.20am on Tuesday, September 8, struck fear into staff who were outside on a cigarette break.
Lawton’s attack came just a day after he had appeared in court to plead guilty to two pubic order offences and two of causing criminal damage.
For that, he was handed a community order which had yet to start, a punishment magistrates hearing his latest offence said must continue.
Prosecutor Clare Irving said: “A social worker saw this gentleman arrive outside at about 10am. He didn’t have an appointment and because of covid the staff were not having face-to-face meetings.
“At about 10.20am the social worker and a colleague were outside for a cigarette.
“This gentleman was seen moving at speed and had a golf club and struck at the win
dow. He had his shorts in his hand and it appears that he was naked when he committed this offence, which lasted for about two minutes.
“Staff were fearful that he would recognise them. He ran away with the golf club in his hand.”
Giving evidence to police, staff said they knew Lawton and were concerned that his behaviour, plagued by mental health issues, was deteriorating.
Jason Smith, defending, said his client had suffered a troubled childhood and had committed his latest offence due to deep-rooted emotional issues.
He added: “I would ask anyone who has had his youth not to react.”
Magistrates said they did not wish to interfere with Lawton’s recently imposed community order and said it should continue.
They ordered him to pay £150 compensation to Next Steps.