A MAN was found lying on the pavement outside Worcester Magistrates Court clutching a bottle of cider, minutes before he was due in court.

The 53 year-old had previously been hailed as a success story of the anti-social behaviour order in a BBC programme after turning his life around following a spell of alcohol abuse.

Yesterday, at Worcester Magistrates Court, Donald Cook, of Duke of Edinburgh Way, Malvern, admitted four charges of breaking an anti-social behaviour order and of failing to surrender to bail.

Prosecuting, Alex Warren said a two-year anti-social behaviour order was imposed on Cook in March 2002, preventing him from drinking alcohol in Worcester.

He said at 12.15pm on Monday, June 17, police arrested Cook after finding him sleeping in the doorway of Back Up Staff in Foregate Street with two bottles of cider.

On Tuesday, June 25, Cook was arrested in Farrier Street while holding a bottle of cider.

Cook was arrested twice more after being found lying in a drunken state on the pavement outside the magistrates court in Castle Street on Thursday, July 1, and on the pavement outside the Private Shop in Lowesmoor, the next day.

Defending, Joe Kieran said Cook's improved lifestyle as a result of the anti-social order placed on him was 'beyond belief' and led him to be featured in a BBC programme, in which he was hailed as a 'complete success story'.

Mr Keiran said Cook was now living at St Paul's hostel, Tallow Hill, Worcester, and attended the city's day centre regularly.

"However, matters with drink arose again around Easter when the centre was shut, and so the support my client was getting was removed.

"He was also getting a hard time from some of the people who lived at the hostel and it sucked him down again regrettably."

Mr Kieran said Cook was drinking outside court on Tuesday, July 1, because he was apprehensive about appearing before magistrates that day for failing to surrender to bail.

Cook was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order for each breach of the anti-social behaviour order to run concurrently and a £25 fine for failing to surrender to bail.

He was also ordered to pay £50 in costs.