Man swore at police while drunk on bridge

A prolific offender found himself back in court when police found him drunk on a bridge early on April Fool’s Day.

Christopher Robinson, 35, swore at an officer – and then made a move towards safety railings.

Robinson, of Aldershot Road, Farringdon, was held back by the PcC on the city’s Queen Alexandra Bridge, a court heard.

Defence solicitor Richard Copsey said Robinson had been drinking all night with friends and could recall nothing of the incident on Friday, April 1.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’Court,prosecutorBushra Begum said: “At 7.07am, an officer was on duty when he had cause to interact with the defendant on Queen Alexandra Bridge. There had been a report of a male staggering around on the road.

“The defendant was unsteady on his feet, was unable to walk properly and smelled of alcohol. The officer tried to speak to the defendant, but it was too difficult due to his drunkenness.

“But the defendant then swore at the officer a number of times, and he was also flailinghisarmsaround.Hemoved towards the railings of the bridge but was stopped from going further.

“Due to his demeanour, he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

“Hehas92previousconvictions from 278 offences, with drunk and disorderly charges in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2013.”

Robinson pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

Mr Copsey said Robinson did not have a history of selfharm and had not made a seriousattempttoreachthesideof the bridge. Magistrates fined jobless Robinson £40, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.