Man fined for being drunk after friend's funeral

A foul-mouthed mourner has been fined for causing a commotion close to youngsters at a Sunderland park after a funeral.

Jobless Nathan Fitzsimon, 23, of The Avenue, in Sunderland city centre, got drunk at the wake of a close friend and found his way to Mowbray Park.

Teenagers concerned by his behaviour on Monday, November 16, alerted police who attended, a court heard.

Fitzsimon was so drunk he had no recollection afterwards of his unruly behaviour, which saw him swear at officers and led him to be handcuffed and arrested.

He has now been fined and hit with court costs after pleading guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court to a charge of being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told the court a uniformed police support officer was on patrol at 5.26pm.

She said Fitzsimon was in Toward Road and moved towards the park’s entrance.

Ms Duffy added: “There was a group of youths who said they were concerned by the defendant’s behaviour. “He swore at police.

"He was cautioned and arrested.

"He smelled heavily of alcohol and was disorientated and appeared to be under the influence.”

Richard Copsey, mitigating, entered a guilty plea on behalf of Fitzsimon, who attended the court building, but was too unwell to take part in the hearing.

He said: “He had been to the funeral of a friend. It was a very close friend. He’s very sorry, he has no recollection of this incident.”

Magistrates fined Fitzsimon £40 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.