Violent drinker jailed for crime spree

A prolific criminal who assaulted a delivery driver, police officer and shop security guard during a four-month spree has been jailed for 18 months.

Mark Baird, 32, carried out a "catalogue" of offences between November and February in the Sunderland area, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

A security guard lost a tooth in one attack, while Baird's aggressive behaviour had left many members of the public frightened, the court heard.

After admitting numerous charges, including assault, which were blamed on his addiction to alcohol and drugs, he was also banned from entering Sunderland city centre for three years.

The court heard Baird, of Ambleside Court in Birtley, punched a security guard at B&M in Southwick three times on 24 November, leaving the 63-year-old victim with a cut mouth and missing tooth.

Prosecutor Antonia Adie said the guard knew "prolific shoplifter" Baird was banned from the store and the defendant became aggressive after being escorted out of the shop.

As well as punching the guard, Baird also made threats against the man's family, Ms Adie said.

Recorder David Gordon said the guard was carrying out a service to the public and the attack had a "significant effect" on him as he "lost a great deal of confidence as far as his job was concerned".

"He did not deserve to be treated in this way by you," the judge told Baird.

Three days previously, Baird had been arrested in Sunderland city centre for having a class C drug, temazepam tablets.

On 30 November, Baird assaulted a police officer after being found with a bottle of vodka on Borough Road in Sunderland in violation of a previous court order banning him for having an open alcohol container in a public place.

In the police van, an "extremely aggressive" Baird threatened to burn the officer's home down and made threats to kill his family, Ms Adie said.

Baird, who again had temazepam on his person, said he had taken tablets so was taken to Sunderland's Royal Hospital where he attempted to headbutt the officer and then kicked him in the chest, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the officer said Baird had been "disgusting" and his behaviour was "completely unacceptable".

On 13 December, Baird threw two bottles of wine and a case of cakes and puddings at staff in the Iceland store in Southwick, Ms Adie said.

She said Baird was behaving "violently and aggressively" which "frightened" staff and shoppers, while the damage he caused was worth about £40.

Later that day, when going to hand himself in at Southwick Police Station, Baird picked up a stone or some mud from the ground and threw it "forcefully" at a police van window causing damage worth £100.

On 22 February, an Amazon delivery driver was walking back to his van after making a drop-off when he saw Baird trying to get in his van.

Baird then tried to get the keys of the driver and in a struggle punched the man in the arm and then threw a bottle at his leg, the court heard.

After being arrested, Baird told officers he had wanted to find out where his ordered trainers were but the driver had been "funny", before calling the man a racial slur.

The court heard Baird had 44 previous convictions for 71 offences and had been in and out of prison since the age of 15.

In mitigation, Kate Barnes said drugs and alcohol were at the root of his offending but he was keen to get clean.

She said his addiction had resulted in severe epilepsy so he now realised "he must stop otherwise he will probably kill himself".

Ms Barnes added: "He recognises his impact on his local community and really it is time to change."

Recorder Gordon said Baird had carried out a "catalogue of offending".

As well as being jailed, Baird was also made subject of a three-year long court order demanding he leave any retail or business premise when requested and banning him from entering an exclusion zone covering Southwick and Sunderland city centre.

He admitted offences including assault causing actual bodily harm, criminal damage, possession of class C drugs and assaulting an emergency worker.

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