Sunderland criminal headed for exit door after learning of jail term

David McCully, 34, took several steps as if to leave South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on hearing of his six-week sentence.

But McCully, of Rennie Road, Hylton Red House, stopped himself in his tracks at the anguished behest of a female supporter in the public gallery.

When he returned to stand before magistrates, they finished what they had started – and suspended his jail term for 18 months.

They heard McCully stole a delivery rider’s electric bike from outside Chilino’s eatery, in Albion Place, on August 7.

He was watched by CCTV operators and soon afterwards arrested by police who found him in possession of prohibited class B drug cannabis.

Between July 10 and July 16 he also stalked a former partner while unsure if their relationship was on or off.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson revealed McCully phoned her on a withheld number 18 times and turned up unwanted at her home.

Of his theft, Mr Anderson said: “In the early hours of August 7, the victim left his electric-assisted pedal cycle outside Chilino’s.

“He went inside to deliver food and the defendant took the opportunity to jump on the bike and ride off towards St Michael’s Way.

“The camera operators spotted a male of his description and officers went to that area.

“He was detained and after a search, a quantity of cannabis was found.

“In interview, he said he had returned the bike to somebody who he believed was a family member of the victim, but he couldn’t provide any credible evidence about who this might be.”

Mr Anderson said the stalking involved McCully displaying “obsessive” behaviour and “making unwanted contact”.

He added: “She received an alert on her CCTV and footage showed the defendant turn up in the middle of the night.

“On July 15, he called her 18 times from a withheld number. He disputes that he is the caller, but she identified the defendant, and the police have a voice recording.”

McCully pleaded guilty to charges of theft of a pedal cycle, possession of a controlled drug and stalking without fear, alarm or distress.

Ian Cassidy, defending, said: “He did say that he had returned the bike to the family of the complainant.

“He says he didn’t take the cycle for drugs. Drugs are at the heart of the issues he faces.”

Of the stalking, Mr Cassidy added: “He would say that there’s an on-and-off relationship and he would say his behaviour has amounted to the offence.

“There were occasions when he believed it was on and she believed it was off. He recognises that the root of all this is the drugs.”

McCully must also complete 15 rehabilitation days and 26 sessions of an accredited programme.

He was additionally made subject to a two-year restraining order not to contact the woman

He must pay £200 compensation to the woman and £100 to the owner of the bike. There were no court costs.