A 21-YEAR-OLD who urinated near Warrington’s cenotaph before putting a poppy wreath on his head has escaped a jail term.

Stephen Smith, of Plymouth Close, Murdishaw, Runcorn, admitted committing an act of lude, obscene and disgusting nature on November 18 at the war memorial on Bridge Foot at around 2.20am.

Smith bowed his head when CCTV footage was played to Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Monday of him urinating in the back corner of the memorial before he kicked a wreath then placed one on his head. He pulled off a tag from one of the wreaths as well.

See the CCTV footage here

John Banasko, defending Smith, said: “I think you see a chastened, very remorseful young man, thoroughly ashamed of what he has done.”

He said his client had a lot to drink and had not told any family members about his court appearance.

District Judge Bridget Knight said: “I hope you stand there and wish you could turn the clock back but you can’t and the video is there to prove it.

“What you did is highly offensive to all right thinking people. People who give their lives for their country have made the ultimate sacrifice. Any memorial to that sacrifice should be treated with the utmost respect.

“You are a young man, you could so easily be in the Army yourself.

“There is no suggestion that you urinated on the names.

“You were seen to kick the wreath in a drunken, half-hearted way, nevertheless showing disrespect to the wreaths and sentiments of those laying them. You put it on your drunken head and removed a tag showing from where it had come.

“I am sure there are many members of the public who will see custody is the only sentence justified.”

He received a 250-hour community order and will be electronically tagged for four weeks. He must remain at his home address between 7pm and 7am.

Speaking after the court case Smith said he wanted to apologise for his actions and said he was deeply ashamed.

He said he was proud of his granddad for serving in the Army and even wanted to join himself after hearing the stories he told.

His ambition to be in the Army was shattered when he failed a medical examination because of a heart murmur at the age of 17.

“I am deeply ashamed of myself. Last night, Sunday, I was sleepless trying to work out why I did it.

“I didn’t know what the police officer was talking about when he told me what I had done but he showed me the video and I admitted it straight away.

“I went back to the memorial (after being arrested) to put the wreaths back but they had already been put back.”

Smith, an unemployed chef, said he always feels relief when seeing his friends safely return from the Army as so many deaths are reported on TV.

He added: “I am so sorry, especially to the people whose tag I pulled off.

“I used to go out about three times a week but I haven’t felt myself since and don’t feel like going out.”

Insp Richard Reeves, of Warrington town centre NPU, said: “This case not only highlights the effects of excessive alcohol on individuals it also shows little regard for those who have fought for their country and lost their lives as a result.

“Police and partners are committed to tackling alcohol-related crime and disorder in Warrington town centre and will do all they can to ensure that those who break the law and cause a nuisance are dealt with.

“Sadly, this is one example where a young man has chosen to ignore those warnings and has shown little respect for himself or anyone else.

“Hopefully the sentence will help him to reflect upon his behaviour and will make him think twice before doing anything like this again in the future.”