Yob who ran amok at WW2 event is spared jail
AYOB who ‘ran amok’ semi-naked threatening families and children enjoying a Second World War reenactment has avoided jail.
Stephen Tobin was reported to police by his father after become abusive and threatening towards visitors at the East Lancashire Railway Bank Holiday event in Rawtenstall, a court heard.
The 32-year-old was wearing only his boxer shorts and socks when he began threatening and pushing people and at one stage was in the middle of the road directing traffic. He was later arrested by police on Newchurch Road in Stacksteads.
Tobin pleaded guilty at Burnley Crown Court to affray and was given a seven-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Peter Barr, prosecuting, said the incident started at around 2pm on May 30 this year and Tobin was ‘being aggressive and generally making a nuisance of himself’
He told the court: “His father called the police because his son had been drinking and was being violent and threatening violence. It was one of seven or eight phone calls to the police with regard to the defendant and what he had been doing. He was going around pushing people and at one stage was directing traffic wearing just boxer shorts and socks.
“They were attending a World War Two re-enactment at East Lancashire Railway with adults and young children present.
“He took exception to people wearing Second World War uniforms and was abusive and shouting. He just seemed extremely belligerent and, as it were, ready for a fight.”
Judge Beverley Lunt told Tobin, of Kingsway, Middleton, that she would suspend his prison sentence and it is ‘the only chance you’re going to get’.
Sentencing, she said: “Your behaviour was bizarre and I have to say rather frightening for any- body watching you running amok on this day.
“You did not for this offence of affray actually harm anybody but there were a lot of people out, families out, children out, and what are you doing was running amok like this.
“You’ve kept out of trouble for a long time and all of a sudden it’s all gone terribly, terribly wrong.
“You spent 11 days in prison [on remand] and I doubt you’ll forget that in a hurry so what I’m going to do is put your future in your own hands to a degree.”