A Sunderland man committed a hat-trick of offending own goals when he breached an order targeting his anti-social behaviour three times in one go, a court heard.

Christopher Stewart, 43, was subject to a police-issued community protection notice (CPN) when he repeatedly erred in the Southwick area of the city on Friday, May 8.

The order compelled Stewart, of Toronto Square, Thorney Close, not to be in that neighbourhood or be drunk or a nuisance to the public while there.

But he was found intoxicated and swearing in the district’s Grosvenor Street, prosecutor Jasmine Dodd told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

South Tyneside magistrates have told Christopher Stewart to stay out of trouble for the next 12 months, or risk further punishment.

placeholder image — South Tyneside magistrates have told Christopher Stewart to stay out of trouble for the next 12 months, or risk further punishment.

Stewart was served with the CPN by police on Thursday, October 16 last year.

Ms Dodd said: “A police officer was on mobile patrol when a member of the public was concerned for the wellbeing of a male.

“The officer found the male in Grosvenor Street – he was screaming and shouting and intoxicated.

“The community protection notice’s conditions are that he’s not to attend Southwick, as per an included map.

“He must also not cause harassment, alarm or distress and must not be in an intoxicated state in a public place.

‘He was in breach of all three.

He was in a place he shouldn’t have been, acting in a way he shouldn’t, and he was intoxicated.

“He has six previous convictions from eight offences, most often related to being drunk and disorderly.

“The last was in 2024, so it’s to his credit that it has been some time since this was an issue.”

Stewart, who pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a CPN, represented himself in court but said only “no” when asked by magistrates if he wanted to explain his offence.

They sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge, with the only condition being that he stays out of trouble.

He was also told to pay £85 court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Nicola Burns, chair of the bench, told him: “We’ve considered the circumstances of the charge and have listened to the information.

“We’re not going to fine you, we’re going to sentence you to what’s known as a conditional discharge.

“That means that we’re not going to do anything about the offence today, but for the next 12 months you don’t do anything that you’re not supposed to.”