Man fined for midnight disturbance

Published on 21st June 2007 in News

A young Swinefleet man landed himself a £120 fine last week after he appeared before Goole magistrates charged with causing harassment, alarm and distress.

Christopher McEwan (18), of High Street, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Goole Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Prosecutor Mrs Julie Laverack Glanville told the court that shortly after midnight on March 26, police were called to a home in Morley Street, Old Goole, after receiving reports of a disturbance. They found a woman arguing with her boyfriend, telling him she wanted him to leave.

Police officers then heard a disturbance upstairs and found Mr McEwan standing in the doorway to the bathroom. He appeared to be "shouting to himself."

As police continued trying to resolve the argument between the couple, Mr McEwan attempted to climb out of the living room window. He was restrained by police officers.

The court heard that a police officer accidentally hit Mr McEwan in the struggle, so the young man began shouting, swearing and kicking out at police officers.

Defending, Mr David Branscombe said that his client had been out with friends earlier that evening and upon their return to the house in Morley Street, an argument that got out of hand broke out between a couple who had been with him.

Mr Branscombe told the court that there was a "fair bit of shouting going on" as Mr McEwan had been asked by the woman to make her boyfriend leave the house.

The situation calmed down when police arrived and asked everyone to stay within the house.

But Mr McEwan wanted to go home, and it was at this point that he attempted to climb out of the living room window and was restrained by police.

Mr Branscombe said: "He kicked out but he never hurt anybody."

Magistrates imposed a fine of £120 for the offence and ordered Mr McEwan to pay £55 towards court costs.