A "DRUNK" man who rang the ambulance service to say he had beaten up his dad, refused to identify himself when arrested because he wanted to test out a fingerprint machine.

Steven Jones admitted wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty when he appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday.

Mary Morgan, prosecuting, said the 37-year-old rang the ambulance service on Tuesday, March 23 to say he had beaten up his father, but when police arrived at the scene they found the injured man was in fact a friend called Henry Sutton.

"He (Mr Sutton) had suffered injury to his left eye," said Mrs Morgan.

The prosecutor said Jones, of Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, escaped the house and was picked up by police.

She said Jones gave a wrong name and date of birth, and refused to give his address, so he had to be identified by a fingerprint machine the following day.

"He gave wrong details because he was drunk," she said.

"He was interested to try the fingerprint machine out. He'd heard about it and was interested."

Barry Newton, defending, said: "He noticed another man who came in custody who gave false information who was put on the machine immediately," said Mr Newton.

Magistrates imposed a financial penalty of £100, but no order was made for costs.

when the hearing took place yesterday.