Sunderland man convicted of assault has fine written off after just 26 hours in custody

Mark Dagg, 47, attacked a woman at a transport hub in Sunderland city centre on Saturday, April 5, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

He pleaded not guilty at a court hearing two days later but was convicted in his absence when he failed to appear for his trial on Friday, November 14.

An arrest warrant was issued and Dagg was detained by police at 2pm on Sunday, November 16, and brought before a court around 10.10am the next day.

Within 13 minutes, he had pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to custody in not attending his trial.

And District Judge Zoe Passfield had also fined him £180 for the assault and imposed £650 court costs and a £72 victim surcharge.

The judge told Dagg the money newly owed would be paid off by him being kept in the court’s cells until about 4pm that day.

Her decision came after the Probation Service said her punishment options were limited by Dagg being unsuitable for a range of rehabilitative work.

Dagg’s defence solicitor also revealed the offender wanted to be kept behind bars until Christmas to avoid the wintry weather outside.

Sentencing Dagg, Judge Passfield said: “You will be kept in court until about 4pm. That will write-off the fine, the surcharge and the costs.”

Of the assault, prosecutor Emily Hunt said: “The defendant appears in court, convicted in his absence.

“The station foyer captured the assault on CCTV. It was between two parties. He shoved the victim, forcing her to fall to the floor.

“Security have intervened, and he was asked to leave. The victim was assisted to her feet.”

Paul McAlindon, defending, said Dagg, who has 63 previous convictions from 121 offences, had nothing for violence on his criminal record.

He added: “He’s in one of these cycles where he goes into custody and comes out and is street homeless.

“I don’t think he’ll get his wish to go back to prison for Christmas and avoid the winter weather.”