A MAN has been warned he could go to prison if he is caught swearing in public again.

Jordan Gurney, aged 19, of Henwick Road, Worcester, was given the warning by city magistrates after he swore at police in the street.

He had breached a criminal behaviour order by shouting and swearing in public.

Tony Fussey, chairman of the bench, said: “This is another breach of an order.

“Next time you swear in public or are doing whatever you will probably go down; before us three again and you will go down.

“If it weren’t for the fact that you are co-operating with probation you wouldn’t be going home today.”

The confrontation happened on Saturday, January 21, after reports of two males breaking into a property in Castle Street, Evesham.

The officers found Gurney, with his girlfriend, near the scene and approached him as he matched the description.

Mark Sheward, defending, said Gurney objected to being arrested for an offence he hadn't committed and lost his temper when the police made reference to his weight.

He said: “He was not charged with that offence. You can perhaps understand why he lost his temper?

“They made reference to his weight in a derogatory way when he was arrested and he responded with language.

“He had a drink - but was not drunk.”

He said Gurney ‘simply pulled away from the officer’ and suggested the resisting arrest charge he faced was in the lower category.

Mr Sheward added the defendant used bad language in response to the way the police spoke to him.

“It wasn’t directed to members of the public. Officers are used to hearing that language,” he said.

Amy Davies, prosecuting, said officers approached Gurney and were made aware he was wanted for an unrelated matter.

Members of the public overheard the defendant using foul language and he woke one lady up.

Gurney, who gave his address as the YMCA hostel in Worcester has recently received a flat from a housing association, the court heard.

The defence said his situation is ‘looking up’ and he intends to attend college in September to improve his chances of finding work.

Gurney pleaded guilty to breaching a criminal behaviour order by shouting and swearing in the street and also pleaded guilty to resisting a constable in the execution of his duty.

Worcester Magistrates Court added 20 hours to Gurney’s existing community order, meaning he will have to complete 101 hours of unpaid work.

The court ordered him to pay £185 in costs, £100 for resisting a constable and a £30 victim surcharge.