Man 'had brought shame on his family'

A judge has criticised a drunken Sunderland man for behaviour which included swearing at a female police officer who had been called to a domestic incident.

District judge Kathryn Meek said Francis Wood, 44, had brought “shame upon himself and his family” and described him as having been “ridiculously drunk”.

She cast the remarks on Wood, of Salem Hill, when he appeared before her at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on a charge of being drunk and disorderly.

The court heard police were called to St Leonard Street, Sunderland, at 11pm on Saturday, November 2, due to concern for a Wood’s partner who lives there.

Prosecutor Keith Laidlaw said the officer spoke to the woman, who said Wood had been “playing up all day”.

He said the officer offered to give Wood a lift away from the scene, but he declined, swearing at her in the process.

As the policewoman continued to speak to the woman, Wood returned - and was told to calm down when his poor behaviour continued.

Mr Laid law added :“The officer used open palm to get him to leave. He was exceptionally intoxicated and was unsteady on his feet. He showed all the classic signs of being drunk.

“She wasn’t able to caution him because he was so intoxicated.”

In mitigation, the court heard there had been a family issue that had caused Wood upset and he had turned to drink in response.

District judge Meek fined Wood, who is on sick leave from work, £225 after he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.