Cornwall will provide new start for drinker Brian Tucker
DRINKER Brian Tucker has been given the chance for a fresh start after admitting being drunk and disorderly in a city centre park.
Tucker, 47, of no fixed address, and who has been arrested more than a dozen times in recent years, was found in a drink-induced sleep, lying across a path, by a member of the public in Rougemont Gardens.
-
'Sad life': Brian Tucker
Police were called at 2pm on Sunday, July 4, and found Tucker lying in a sleeping bag. They woke him up and he became abusive and repeatedly swore at them.
When Tucker stood up the officers noticed that he had urinated on himself and police did up his trousers to prevent him exposing himself. He was drunk and was arrested.
Two weeks later a security guard at Iceland saw Tucker go into the store at 5pm, on July 17, and take two packs of ham.
He left without paying and was found nearby eating the ham.
Police arrested him and he told officers that he could not remember the incident but had been in town drinking cider.
Magistrates were told that Tucker had appeared in court on Friday last week for a similar offence of being drunk and disorderly, on June 29.
He admitted that the latest offence put him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed on him in April.
Mitigating Katherine Todd said: "He has a horrendous problem with alcohol. He has been drinking for 20 years. He is leading a rather sad and undignified life."
She said he was not receiving benefits as his claim had lapsed and he is in arrears with homeless charity St Petrocks, in Cathedral Yard, where he regularly goes for food.
The court heard that Exeter's Street Homeless Outreach Team has suggested that Tucker could move to rented accommodation in Saltash for a fresh start and where he would get help for his problems.
The team believes that the move to the Cornish town where, through a homeless network across the South West, it can find accommodation, he could be rehabilitated.
Magistrates welcomed this idea and ordered that Tucker pay £90 in fines and costs but agreed that time served in custody could account for that.
15 Comments
View all
by mikehunt, WORK
Thursday, July 22 2010, 12:02PM
“I have seen this person naked pushing a shopping trolly ?
Totally normal !!”
by The Local Vocal, Exeter
Thursday, July 22 2010, 11:31AM
“I have known this guy for years and he has always been the same. Some people just don't want to be helped and unfortunately, he is one of them. Sending him to another place will more than likely make his issue with alcohol worse as he will be even more alone than he is now. He is violent and agressive and I can never see him changing for anyone. Alcohol has played a 'huge' part in his behaviour, so much so that I think he has damaged his brain over the years. Come on Brian...time to clean up before you end up pushing up the daisies!”
by The Local Vocal, Exeter
Thursday, July 22 2010, 11:26AM
“I have known this guy for years and he has always been the same. Some people just don't want to be helped and unfortunately, he is one of them. Sending him to another place will more than likely make his issue with alcohol worse as he will be even more alone than he is now. He is violent and agressive and I can never see him changing for anyone. Alcohol has played a 'huge' part in his behaviour, so much so that I think he has damaged his brain over the years. Come on Brian...time to clean up before you end up pushing up the daisies!”
by Anita, Exwter
Thursday, July 22 2010, 8:26AM
“That's not nice i was drinkin with Bri
outside Green Gables he looked Broken man. you have to fell sorry for the guy.”
by Brian the beast, Park bench, Exeter
Thursday, July 22 2010, 2:42AM
“I often find the need to get my jon thomas out in public, and i find feigning alcholism and pretending that i cant control my bladder a good way to get away with it !”
by Michael, Exeter
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 10:55PM
“Holy cow, cornwall is awash for alcoholics, fancy sending him there !”
by Ronald, exeter
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 9:39PM
“The man is a menace, always has been and always will be.
He doesn't want to be helped, he's always been a aggresive spiteful person that has hurt a lot of people over the years.
The tide has turned and the majority of Exeter will be glad to see the back of him, feel sorry for the people of Saltash though.”
by Just about everyone, Exeter
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 9:03PM
“Geddon Bri! Finally goin places! Get yourself over to Stonehouse and show em how its done with your useless drunken 'boxing' show, they're gonna love you mate!”
by Anon, Exeter
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 8:02PM
“What did the poor people of Saltash do to deserve this? The bloke's a nutter and has been for years,. He should be locked up, not sent off somewhere else to become someone elses problem !”
by The End is Nigh, Exeter
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 7:35PM
“Gemma / Another,
When anyone moves somewhere new, they generally don't know anyone and take time to settle in. Is this man any less capable of starting a new life?
The reality maybe somewhat different as I, like most, have no idea of this man's background or state of mind, but I would imagine that he would do well to be away from those who lead him into this lifestyle and given an opportunity to befriend new, good people who will treat him as Brian Tucker and not as Brian Tucker the alcoholic.
Unfortunately in this day and age it is all too easy to find out who is living next door to you and the world is not a better place for that. You can only wish the man good luck.”