An award-winning Newcastle barber, whose clients include a string of local celebrities, has been convicted of stalking and assaulting a woman.
Tom Baxter, who has previously landed himself in trouble for cutting Toon star Joelinton's hair during the Covid lockdown, pleaded guilty to the offences at North Tyneside Magistrates Court earlier this week.
The 37-year-old was handed an 18 month community order with program, activity and electronic curfew requirements and fined £1557.
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Baxter, of Pear Tree Way in New Hartley , Northumberland, was also ordered to pay £300 in compensation to the victim. A restraining order was imposed as well as £300 compensation to the victim and £1557 fine.
Baxter, who runs Tom Baxter Hair, on the Coast Road in the High Heaton area of Newcastle, has scooped a host of awards for his barbering skills.
After starting out in hairdressing as a teenager Baxter, who is originally from North Shields, made a name for himself by posting online hair tutorials on YouTube and Instagram.
The was also the North East's first British Master Barber and has cut the hair of Geordie Shore's Gaz Beadle. But in early 2021 he found himself in hot water after breaking Covid restrictions to attend to striker Joelinton's distinctive locks.
It is understood the haircut took place in the barber’s garage, and came to light after the player shared a picture of himself and Baxter on Instagram.
North Tyneside Council later said it would be issuing the barber with a prohibition notice.
Phil Scott, the council’s head of environment, housing and leisure, said at the time: “We have received complaints about an individual operating a barber service from a property in North Tyneside in contravention of Covid regulations.
“The individual will be issued with a prohibition notice.”
Barbers and hairdressers closed in early January 2021 after England entered a third national lockdown.
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