Magistrates grant conditional discharge after self-represented defendant argues case in court
A heavily convicted Sunderland man facing a drunk and disorderly charge has been praised by magistrates for defending himself in court as effectively as a qualified lawyer.
Dexter Ferguson, 49, of Tower Street, Hendon, admitted the offence but chose not to be legally represented. Instead, he addressed South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court directly, asking that he be given a conditional discharge rather than a fine.
Prosecutor Emily Hunt told the court that officers recognised Ferguson on Hylton Road, Sunderland, on the evening of Wednesday 17 September. She said he appeared intoxicated, unsteady on his feet, and slurring his words in the presence of members of the public.
Hunt added that Ferguson gestured at officers with his middle finger as they passed in a marked police van. When stopped, he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. The Crown sought costs of £85, stating the likely outcome would be either a fine or a conditional discharge.
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The court was told Ferguson has 67 previous convictions from 130 offences and last appeared before magistrates in December for a similar offence of being drunk and disorderly.
When invited to respond, Ferguson contested aspects of the prosecution case. He denied making a rude gesture at officers and corrected the Crown’s description of events, stating that the officers were in a patrol car, not a van. He also accused police of damaging his mobile phone during the arrest.
Speaking directly to the bench, he said: “Can I ask that you consider a conditional discharge? I was locked up for nine hours. A friend who was with me was de-arrested. It was a police car, not a van, and I didn’t stick my finger up.”
After considering his comments, magistrates granted Ferguson’s request and imposed a 12-month conditional discharge. The sentence means he will not face further penalty for this offence unless he commits another crime within the next year.
In delivering the decision, John Lee, chair of the bench, told him: “You’ve made a compelling case, as good as any solicitor in here for a conditional discharge. You’re not being punished now.”
Alongside the discharge, Ferguson was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
Despite his long criminal record, Ferguson’s handling of his own defence drew unusual praise from magistrates, highlighting both his familiarity with the court process and his ability to argue directly for leniency.
The case underlines the discretion magistrates retain in low-level public order cases such as drunk and disorderly behaviour. Although Ferguson admitted the offence, his presentation in court and request for a discharge ultimately secured him the least severe sentence available.