Heaton man vows to change his ways after being drunk and disorderly outside Morrisons in Jarrow
The wayward brother of pop star Cheryl Tweedy has vowed to change his ways during a court appearance in South Tyneside.
Andrew Tweedy, 45, told magistrates he planned to go straight from court to hospital in Newcastle to begin alcohol abuse rehab.
He also revealed he had been welcomed back into the singer’s old family home in Langhorn Close, Heaton, Newcastle, having been homeless.
Tweedy stood to admit a charge of being drunk and disorderly outside Morrisons’ store at the Viking Centre in Jarrow on Wednesday, February 25.
Prosecutor Holly Clegg said: “Police received a report from staff at Morrisons that the defendant was outside and was shouting and swearing at customers.
“Police attended and spoke to him, but he was abusive. He said, ‘F**k off’ and ‘What you going to do?’
“There were members of the public present. They attempted to calm him down. His eyes were glazed, and he smelled of intoxicants.
“He has 43 previous convictions from 115 offences, the most recent conviction relates to the same offence and that was on February 5.”
Tweedy, who defended himself, said: “I’d like to say that it wasn’t the staff I was abusive to, it was me trying to defend myself against someone who was trying to attack me.
“I’ve been there quite a few times, and they all know my name, they know me by my first name.
“It was me trying to get rid of someone who was coming towards me, that’s who I was being abusive towards.
“Today I’m starting treatment for my alcohol abuse. I’ve to get to the Freeman Hospital after this to start that.”
Of his new home, he added: “I’ve just got back to that address, I was homeless before that because of my condition.
“I’m trying to get help. I’ve got priority for my own house. I’m trying to fix my life and fix my problems.
“It’s a process but it’s all just starting. I’m trying to solve this problem and I’m trying to get past them and it’s not going to be a problem after this.
“I was drunk, and I was swearing. Yes, I accept that.”
Magistrates sentenced Tweedy to a six-month conditional discharge, with £85 court costs and a £28 victim surcharge.
The court heard he has a debt to the court from previous offending matters of £561.99
It was also said he was subject to a community order when he committed his latest offence.
On leaving the courtroom, Tweedy said to magistrates: “Thank you very much. Have a nice day.”
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