'I will prove myself to my wife and children, and not take drugs'

HOMELESS DAD CAUGHT WITH KNIFE AND COCAINE WANTS TO TURN LIFE AROUND

- By ESTHER HALLIGAN

A HOMELESS dad whose cocaine habit “spiralled when the pandemic hit” was caught with drugs, pepper spray and a knife.

Peter Darbyshire, 33, was stopped on St John’s Way in Stockton in the early hours of April 3, 2023. He told police: “I've got a tin of gas, yeah, its in my bag.” A stop and search revealed a knife, cocaine and some pepper spray.

Teesside Crown Court has heard that Darbyshire claimed to be a decorator, and said he had been using the lock knife to cut wallpaper for his flat.

But Rachel Butt, prosecuting, told the court that Darbyshire was homeless and that “he was unable to give his address”.

The former car salesman later admitted the possession of a class A drug; the possession of a bladed article in public; and the possession of an offensive weapon.