A MAN has been banned from a Tesco store in Worcester after causing “fear and alarm” to people on three separate occasions.

Duncan Abbott admitted using threatening words, behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress and two charges of using threatening, abusive, insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court. Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, said the first instance of his bad behaviour took place between July 22 and July 31, when Abbott pushed a man out of the way to get to the front of the till queue in the Foregate Street store. “When he was challenged by other members of the public in the store he became abusive and started saying he was a policeman and threatened to arrest them,” she said.

“The cashiers stated Mr Abbott was aggressive and said they were fearful of him and he was verbally banned from the supermarket by staff.” Similar incidents occurred on August 5 and August 6 when Abbott returned to the store and became abusive to staff after he was told to leave because he had been banned. He was arrested two days later by a police officer who identified him sleeping rough in Worcester.

Genevieve Worthington, defending, said Abbott aged 45, of Ravenshill, Knightwick, suffers from bipolar and personality disorders and finds it difficult being in crowded places with more than three people. “This incident was really quite in isolation,” she said. “He wasn’t receiving any medication for his disorders and was drinking as a result of not having any support.”

Magistrate Jo Hodges fined him £240, £85 costs and ordered him to stay away from the Tesco store. “I am sure you appreciate the fear and alarm that you did cause,” she said.