Joe McDermot who attacked a doorman at China White, Neil Vaughan was jailed for attempted robbery, and burglar Tony Ash are among the people to appear in court(Image: Northumbria Police/ChronicleLive)

Criminals in court over Newcastle City Centre offences - including a building society armed raider

15 Dec 2024, 04:00 by Nicole Goodwin · ChronicleLive

An armed raid, assaulting doorstaff and drug offences are among the incidents in Newcastle City Centre which have landed people in court this year.

One man was jailed after an attempted robbery at the Yorkshire Building Society on Northumberland Street after becoming frustrated with his lack of money on benefits. He was arrested on Shields Road, Byker, around an hour after the raid and found to be in possession of a BB gun, a black bag and pepper spray.

In a second incident, a member of doorstaff was left with broken bones after two groups of men clashed on a night out in Chinawhite.

And in a third incident a woman hurled racist abuse while assaulting a doorman during a night out for her 40th birthday.

These are the people in court in relation to incidents in Newcastle City Centre.

Neil Vaughan

Neil Vaughan was jailed for attempted robbery at the Yorkshire Building Society on Northumberland Street, in Newcastle city centre.
On July 2, the 56-year-old, who has no previous convictions, decided to take drastic action after becoming frustrated with his lack of money on benefits. Newcastle Crown Court heard that an employee in her 60s was about to do a till balance and was about to start counting notes when Vaughan shouted at her to "Put the money in the f****** bag", which he repeated.
She was also able to press an alarm premises and the armed response unit from Northumbria Police attended, although Vaughan had fled the scene. He was identified from CCTV and arrested on Shields Road, Byker, around an hour after the raid and found to be in possession of a BB gun, a black bag and pepper spray.
Now Vaughan, of Melrose Gardens, Wallsend, has been jailed for five years.
Here's the full story(Image: Northumbria Police)

Joe McDermot

A member of door staff at Chinawhite, in Newcastle city centre, was left with broken bones after two groups of men clashed inside the club. Newcastle Crown Court heard that a decision was made by staff to eject the group who had travelled from London, including Joe McDermot, and as they did so large scale trouble erupted.
The court heard McDermot broke free from being kicked out and returned to throw more punches. The doorman suffered a number of fractures to his face and eye socket but prosecutors were unable to say how these were caused.
Judge Stephen Earl sentenced him to 12 months suspended for two years with 200 hours unpaid work and he must pay £2,500 compensation.
Here's the full story(Image: Northumbria Police)

Christopher Ormston

Christopher Ormston was carrying a knife in Newcastle' city centre and tried to headbutt and spit on officers when he was stopped.
The 29-year-old of Queen Street, in Ashington, also threatened to "burn down" a constable's home and "rape their children" during the violent outburst as he was being arrested on Grainger Street.
Ormston, who was on licence from prison at the time and has since been recalled, will next appear via video link at Sunderland Magistrates' Court on December 18 for sentence.
Here's the full story(Image: ChronicleLive)

Stacey Barras

Stacey Barras was out for her 40th birthday when she hurled racist abuse while assaulting a doorman.
She had been at the Fox and Hounds, on Westgate Road, Newcastle, when trouble flared.
The court heard how "She picked up a chair and threw it at another member of staff then threw the chair at the victim, striking him in the leg, causing pain." The court heard that during the assault, Barras racially abused the victim.
Barras, of Bilbrough Gardens, Benwell, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault and was sentenced to a 12 month community order with rehabilitation and must pay the victim £200 compensation.
Here's the full story(Image: newcastle chronicle)

Tony Ash

A cigarette burglar told a court he was "content" with his homeless lifestyle while appearing in the dock for having drugs.
As previously reported on ChronicleLive last month, Tony Ash was captured on CCTV sneaking behind the counter of a Tyneside petrol station while the shop assistant was distracted and helping himself to packets of cigarettes. However, the 32-year-old, formerly from Heaton, was back at the same court after he was arrested for being in possession of Pregabalin.
He failed to show for an earlier hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was detained and appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in custody to plead guilty to possession of a class C drug and was given a six-month conditional discharge.
Here's the full story(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)