‘I APOLOGISE FOR MY ACTIONS TOWARDS THE PUBLIC ON THAT DAY’
Drunk admits ‘intimidated’ young male and OAP in the street
DRINKER Shaun Burchell was arrested after causing a drunken nuisance in the street.
Police were called to Stoke to a report of a man banging on the gate of the Salvation Army hostel in Vale Street.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that they arrived to find 37-year-old Burchell carrying a can of lager.
Prosecutor Karen Wright said: “On arrival, officers found Mr Burchell holding can of high-strength lager.
“He was swaying from side to side. He was given several chances to leave the area.
“He was then seen on Church Street entering a convenience store, where he appeared to be making a nuisance of himself.
“He then walked towards a younger male who was walking along the pavement in an intimidating way.
“He was shouting and swearing at members of the public and was warned again about his behaviour.”
The court heard Burchell then ‘got up in the face’ of an older pedestrian. After repeatedly failing to heed police warnings – two hours after the original call – Burchell was arrested.
He continued to shout at police officers and headbutted the inside of the police vehicle.
He went on to plead guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place. The offence happened on April 13.
The court heard Burchell, now of Victoria Terrace, Buxton, had 19 previous convictions for 33 offences.
He was not represented by a solicitor in court, but told magistrates: “I would like to apologise for my actions on that day towards members of the public.
“I had consumed too much alcohol. I take responsibility for my actions.”
Magistrates fined Burcell £80 and ordered him to pay £169 in court costs and charges.