A DEFENDANT fell asleep during his own sentencing.

Leandro Licursi began snoring as his defence solicitor outlined the mitigating circumstance of his case.

Before he nodded off, Licursi – who has no fixed address – admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said a security guard called the police after Licursi was seen near CrownGate bus station on Tuesday, July 12, at about 1.45pm. He was drinking cider and sniffing lighter fuel.

When the police arrived, Licursi had moved inside the bus station and was talking loudly on the payphone about his bank account.

Licursi, aged 32, spotted the officers and told them “to do one”.

He began to walk away from the phone and continued to be abusive. The police then decided to arrest him.

Susie Duncan, defending, said: “Licursi is someone who has completely hit rock bottom. He cannot really explain why.”

But Mrs Duncan’s mitigation was cut short as the sounds of Licursi’s snores caught the attention of the magistrates’ bench.

Mrs Duncan tried to wake him up and give him a glass of water, but in the end it was left to three security guards to hold Licursi upright so he could be sentenced.

Chairman of the bench Derek Styles said: “For this matter I fine you £50 but I am not ordering costs.

"However, instead of paying the money we are going to keep you downstairs until the court day is finished.”