Drunk man made stab gesture at Pc

AN ALCOHOLIC told a police officer he had a knife in his pocket and made a stabbing action towards him during a drunken rant.

Ian Coathup, 45, said he had a knife on him when he was stopped on Palmerston Street, Bollington, after complaints about his behaviour at a house nearby.

Coathup didn’t produce any weapon but made a stabbing action towards the officer, Macclesfield Magistrates Court heard. The court heard he had caused a scene at the house and left but when police caught up with him, he became aggressive.

Prosecuting Debbie Byrne said a police officer who attended after reports of a disturbance described Coathup as being drunk.

She said: “People were pointing at the defendant walking towards Albert Road.

“The officer asked the defendant what happened.

“He became argumentative and said ‘I’m fed up with the police’ and started swearing.

“He had been invited to the address but caused a scene and was asked to leave. The officer told the defendant to leave the area.

“The defendant said ‘I’ve got a knife‘ and made a grab at his pocket making a stabbing motion towards the officer. He was warned not to do again and said he was only joking.”

Coathup, formerly of South Street, Congleton, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place on August 19. He committed the offence while serving a suspended prison sentence.

But his solicitor Shirley Kelly asked magistrates not to send him to prison.

She said he has a longstanding issue with alcohol but is making efforts to address this, signing up for an alcohol treatment programme.

She said: “He’s had a massive problem with alcohol over the years.

“On the day of this incident he had a to-do with someone but was leaving the scene when police arrived. Everything that follows stems from the fact that police were talking to him while in drink.

“He apologises for his behaviour. He has made a commitment to break free from alcohol.”

Magistrates extended the suspended sentence by three months and issued a £35 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs and £150 court charge.

Chairman of the bench Stephen Conquer said: “We note your attempts to address the drinking problem which has blighted your life and hope it proves to be successful in turning your life around.”