A man who called a Swindon police officer a homophobic slur left court £400 better off.
Neighbourhood PC Sean Williams was repeatedly labelled a “faggot” by prolific offender Daniel Dent, 34, during an incident on 2 February this year.
Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard how the defendant, of Stratford Close, Toothill, was detained on suspicion of shoplifting when he directed the homophobic slur at the officer.
As District Judge Joanna Dickens was told details by prosecutor Pauline Lambert, Dent – who pleaded guilty to a public order offence – shouted “Just lock me up, I don’t care man” from the dock.
She said: “There’s no place for this in our society, it’s aggressive and it’s disgusting.
“It’s not language anybody should be using, particularly against officers.”
She told Dent to pay £200 compensation to PC Williams. In response, he exclaimed: “I’m not going to pay that, that’s a lot of money.”
But Judge Dickens told the defendant – who is unemployed and claiming benefits – that she intends to wipe all of his existing fines totalling £400, telling him: “You’re up in the situation.”
