A drunk man ‘interfered’ in the arrest of a shoplifter in Swindon town centre.
Shane Bunce, 51, verbally abused a police officer during the incident on 20 May this year.
Prosecutor Tony Nowogrodzki told Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday (28 July) that the defendant, of Booth House, used “foul and abusive language”.
He said that Bunce “interfered with the arrest” of Beau James Houghton – a well known shoplifter – by shouting “you f***ing idiot”, “d***head” and other obscenities.
“He made no bones about the situation whatsoever, he is adamant it happened and he’s sorry for doing it”, defence solicitor Ms Jackson said.
Adding: “He got involved in a situation that was no concern to him, but he did what he did.”
She said her client – who is homeless – has lung disease, suffers with fits and has depression.
Having pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act, magistrates fined him £80. He must also pay prosecution costs and a surcharge.
