Drunk brandished key and threatened to 'cut' police at Sunderland train station

Martin Bryant, 24, of Brinkburn Crescent, Burnside, Houghton, was awoken from his slumber after a traveller raised concerns for his well-being.

Instead of showing his gratitude, Bryant, who had to be helped to his feet, swore at officers and made the threat on Monday, October 26.

Bryant has now been hit with fines and court costs of £159 after he pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court to a charge of being drunk and disorderly.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said told the court how Bryant had been found unresponsive in the station.

She said: “Police attended Sunderland train station after a report of concern for Mr Bryant, who was unresponsive and lying under a bench.

“They assisted him to get to his feet and he remained unsteady. He swore and he continued to swear.

“It was clear that all the police were trying to do was to try to get him home.”

Ms Burgess said it was then that Bryant turned on the officers.

“He had a bag and he had keys in the bag, and he pulled them out of the bag.

“He then threatened the officers by saying, ‘I will cut you’. He was arrested.”

Mr Bryant listed a number of other offences Bryant had committed, which were dealt with in court previously.

She said: “The defendant is lightly convicted but was in court in 2018 for common assault for which he was made subject to a community order, which has now run its course.

“He also had a drunk and disorderly conviction in 2018, but there has been no offence for two years.”

When asked if he had anything to say to the court, Bryant, who defended himself, said only, “No, no.”

Magistrates fined Bryant £40, reduced from £60 due to his early guilty plea, and he must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

He must pay the sum owed at a rate of £20 a month, directly from his benefits.

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