Sunderland man became 'nervous and sweating’ when cops probed why he had bolt cutters in street at 4am

Jason Taylor, 31, of Hume Street, Millfield, proclaimed his innocence so strongly he took his case to trial – and lost, a court heard.

But at no point did he deny being in possession of illegal drugs cannabis and amphetamine which were found on him by police after his arrest on Sunday, November 15.

Taylor has been handed an 18-month community order – and must do 80 hours of unpaid work – after being sentenced by magistrates in South Tyneside.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told the hearing that Taylor ‘became nervous and was sweating’ when police asked what he was doing out with a bag in the early hours.

She told the court: “Officers were on duty along European Way when they had cause to stop the defendant.

“He was vague about where he had been and where he was going.

“They saw a large item protruding out of his backpack, and he said they are ‘metal things and stuff’. He became nervous and was sweating.

“They found bolt croppers in his bag, and when searched in custody, cannabis and amphetamine were found.”

The court heard Taylor readily admitted the drugs were his but denied going equipped to burgle with the bolt croppers, but was found guilty at trial in January.

Jason Smith, defending Taylor, who has 22 previous convictions, the last in August 2019, said: “He indicates that he maintains the position he took at trial.

“He maintains that he had simply found all items and was going home after going to the bank to retrieve money from the cashpoint.

“He is willing to comply with such an order as is imparted by the court.”

Magistrates ordered Taylor to complete an 18-month community order, which also has a requirement of undertaking 20 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

Taylor, who pleaded guilty to possession of controlled Class B drugs cannabis and amphetamines, must pay £620 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the bolt croppers and the destruction of the drugs.

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