A MAN who drank 15 pints of beer for his birthday stuck his finger up at police and then swore at them, Worcester Magistrates Court heard.

Wayne Given was spotted by police officers sitting on a bench in Bridge Street, Evesham, on Sunday, March 14, but as they drove past, he raised his middle finger, said Mary Morgan, prosecuting.

She said they then decided to monitor the 25-year-old's behaviour. Given then walked out in front of their van causing them to stop.

"He stared at them for several seconds and then walked away," she said.

Mrs Morgan said the officers approached him once more, and the defendant raised his finger at them again.

"They wound down the window and he swore at them,'" she said. "They told him to stop swearing and go home, and he replied 'you don't know what I'm going through'."

Licked

Mrs Morgan said Given then licked the palm of his hand to shake hands with the officers but they refused. Given swore at them again, so they arrested him for being drunk and disorderly.

Mark Sheward, defending, said Given had been out for his birthday, and drank 15 pints.

"He has no memory of this," he said.

"He accepts his behaviour fell below that which would be expected of him."

Given, of Shepherds Pool, Evesham, admitted being drunk and disorderly when he appeared before magistrates.

He was granted a conditional discharge for six months, and no order was made for court costs.