Man warned he could end up behind bars after breaching his bail when he visited his girlfriend

But magistrates in South Tyneside warned Liam Mitchinson, 30, of Windemere Crescent, Shiney Row, he would unlikely be granted a second chance if he offends again before his day in court.

They heard he overstayed a date with his girlfriend on Sunday, June 14, and did not make it home in time to meet his 7pm curfew cut-off point.

Brian Parkinson, chairman of the magistrates’ bench, said: “We are going to warn you that if there is a further breach of these bail conditions then the chances are you will be remanded into custody.

“You’ve been given one bite of the cherry, you won’t be given another.”

Mitchinson had appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on April 4 to admit possession of Class C cannabis but to deny the assault.

It is alleged he coughed in the direction of a police officer after his drugs arrest and while claiming to have coronavirus symptoms.

He was fined £250 for the drug offence and given bail to appear for a magistrates’ court trial at a date to be arranged on condition he resides at his home address and abides by a 7pm to 6am curfew.

But prosecutor Glenda Beck said: “It’s said that Mr Mitchinson breached his curfew by being out past this curfew.

“There is a statement from the monitoring company which says that at 7pm he was out.

“At 8.10pm there was a phone call to that property to which there was no answer.

“This is the first breach of bail and no further offences have been committed in that period and no further breaches.

“Any further breaches are likely to end in an application for a remand in custody.”

Ian Cassidy, defending, said: “That would be an appropriate measure. He’s been on these bail conditions for about two months now.

“He went to his girlfriend’s address and realises that that was an unwise decision.

“There’s no evidence of criminal behaviour. Liam tells me that he has employment pending and is keen to remain at liberty to take up this employment.”

Mitchinson, who admitted the breach, was re-bailed until October 23 on the same conditions.

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