Co Antrim : Man back in court for being disorderly hours after appearance for similar offence
A MAN who was drunk and disorderly in Antrim town centre just hours after being in court for a similar offence, has been fined £200
Stephen James Alexander (59), of no fixed abode, was intoxicated and shouting and swearing at passing members of the public in Antrim on Monday July 27.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of being disorderly at High Street in Antrim. The incident was reported to police around 7.15pm.
At Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on July 28, the defendant said he wished to apologise for his behaviour.
The defendant had been before Coleraine Magistrates Court on July 27. That court was told he had been drunk and unconscious at The Junction shopping complex in Antrim town and became aggressive when a "Good Samaritan" checked on him.
The defendant had admitted a charge of being disorderly at The Junction on the afternoon of Saturday July 25.
At Monday's court in Coleraine, a judge had said the defendant had been in police custody for two nights before being brought to court which he said was "adequate punishment" and gave the defendant a one year conditional discharge.
The judge had said that meant if the defendant stayed out of trouble there would be no penalty but if he re-offended the case would be re-opened and he would be sentenced.
Judge Mateer had told the defendant on Monday: "Go to the Housing Executive and get yourself homed and deal with your life in a way that doesn't impact upon other members of the community".
A defence solicitor said the defendant is an alcoholic. The defendant has now been fined £100 for the new offence and had the conditional discharge replaced with a £100 fine.
On July 28, District Judge Nigel Broderick warned him that if he keeps coming to court for similar offences he risks being jailed.