Alcoholic John Mayoh was back behind bars today after flouting a court order for the eighth time.

The 40-year-old was hauled before magistrates after he started swearing and trying to climb on to a stage during a family festival.

The dad-of-two was arrested after being spotted at Walls-end's Forum Centre by security guards.

He was left to sober up in police cells overnight before appearing at North Tyneside magistrates court.

The court heard how Mayoh, of Hyde Park Street, Gateshead, was made subject of an Anti Social Behaviour Order in October after he was arrested at least 25 times for being drunk and disorderly in North Shields town centre.

Margaret Waddell, prosecuting, said: "Mr Mayoh has appeared before the court on a number of occasions.

"On Saturday his actions were causing annoyance and distress and the police were concerned about very young children standing nearby.

"He was acting in a disruptive manner, trying to climb on to the stage where people were performing and using abusive language. He was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech."

Alcoholic Mayoh was the fastest person in the North East to break an anti-social beha-viour order after he went on a drinking binge just four days after it was made. And last year a Crown Court judge sentenced him to six months in prison.

Magistrates this week gave Mayoh a 14-day jail sentence after he admitted breaching the order, which bans him from making a nuisance of himself.

Mayoh's girlfriend of five years, Yvonne Tubman was distraught at the decision and claims that her troubled partner is desperate to give up the drink.

Miss Tubman, 49, of Stead Road, Wallsend, said: "This is getting pathetic. John needs help.

"He'll crack up if he has to go to prison again because he can't take much more of this.

"He's really trying to kick the drink and trying to get better, but this isn't helping. He is a proper gentleman and you couldn't meet a better lad."

Mayoh's solicitor Adrian Ions said: "John has been an alcoholic for many years following a personal tragedy

"He had a few drinks and was slightly drunk on Saturday, although he says it wasn't him that tried to climb on the stage.

"He is making an effort to give up the drink, but he's had a serious problem for several years and he can't be expected to get better straight away."