Drug-troubled music man found with a knife in South Yorkshire street after he had assaulted two women

A drug-troubled music man was found in the street with a knife after he had assaulted two women.
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Stephen Paine, aged 44, was found by police in a street in Wombwell, Barnsley, with a knife wrapped in a cloth in his pocket, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing.

Recorder Craig Hassall told the hearing on February 12 how Paine had been at a neighbour’s home in Wombwell but had returned and had made unwanted advances towards his neighbour’s friend and stroked her leg before he was told to leave.

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Paine’s neighbour complained and told him their friendship was over, according to Recorder Hassall, and he punched and grabbed her causing bruising to her arms before police were alerted and found him with a knife in his pocket in the street.

Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, heard how a drug-troubled music man was found in the street with a knife in his pocket after he had assaulted two women. Also pictured is an example of a knife.Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, heard how a drug-troubled music man was found in the street with a knife in his pocket after he had assaulted two women. Also pictured is an example of a knife.
Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, heard how a drug-troubled music man was found in the street with a knife in his pocket after he had assaulted two women. Also pictured is an example of a knife.

Recorder Hassall told Paine: “Police found you wandering in the public highway with a large knife in your back pocket which you were carrying for protection.”

The defendant told police he had behaved inappropriately due to mental health issues and claimed he had the knife because he feared people from the Traveller community were after him.

The defendant, now of Greendale Road, Arnold, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place and to two offences of common assault after the incident in July, 2020.

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Richard Barradell, defending, said: “He has lived what many would say is an interesting life in the music industry but he has had difficulties with drug addiction.”

Mr Barradell added that problems with drugs can be linked with the music industry and Paine has suffered with subsequent mental health issues.

The court heard that Paine started abusing drugs in the 90’s but it got the better of him and at the time of these offences he was on a slippery downward slope.

Recorder Hassall recognised Paine has worked hard with a previous career in the music industry and he acknowldeged the recreational activities associated with such a career and the mental health difficulties the defendant has subsequently faced.

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He sentenced Paine to a 12-month community order with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a three-month curfew.

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