Defendant drank to block out the pain (From Warrington Guardian)

Defendant drank to block out the pain

A WINSFORD man who failed to comply with a requirement of his ASBO has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.

Liam Darren Abbott, of Grampian Way, appeared in custody at Northwich Magistrates' Court on Monday after being arrested for being drunk in a public place in Winsford on Friday night.

Mairead Neesam, prosecuting, said: "It was 9.20pm when police officers on St John's Drive saw the defendant walking with a female.

"They knew he had an ASBO and formed the impression he was drunk. Part of the condition was not to be intoxicated in any public place and so he was arrested."

Ms Neesam said Abbott became abusive, adding: "The defendant was shouting at an officer and threatening to assault him when he next saw him out in Winsford. He was told to calm down but carried on shouting abuse."

But Quentin Querelle, defending, said 20-year-old Abbott was struggling since splitting up with his pregnant girlfriend.

He added: "My client has not been able to take it terribly well as he has been told to stay away from the girl concerned and secondly that he will not be able to see the child.

"It has made him very down and he has taken to drink as an effect of feeling very depressed to block out the pain."

But chairman of the bench Clive Waring said the breach was serious regardless of consequences and ordered Abbott to carry out an additional 40 hours' unpaid work and pay £20 court costs.

He added: "I have to warn you, you must comply fully. If you appear back here again you have a very good idea what will happen to you."