A PLACARD protester who complains about police corruption has been told to pay a further £500 to the courts after another hearing.

Richard Jackson, aged 66, of Main Street, Bishampton, near Pershore, has been a regular sight demonstrating outside Worcester courts.

In October he was fined £250 with a surcharge of £15 and ordered to pay £600 costs after an all-day hearing before city magistrates on a charge of unlawfully obstructing the highway.

He appealed against the conviction but did not attend the hearing at Worcester Crown Court.

The case was heard in his absence and he was ordered to pay another £532 costs.

Michael Anning, prosecuting, said Jackson was arrested early on May 6 as he paraded with a placard on the A38 near Fernhill Heath at the entrance to West Mercia Police headquarters at Hindlip Hall.

Alarms administrator Terence Law was on the way to work at the headquarters when he was confronted by Jackson.

He saw the placard contained the numbers £50,000 in large letters and an allegation about police corruption.

Mr Law said he was forced to slow down as he tried to turn into the drive.

The placard was thrust towards him by a man standing on the roadside edge.

He stopped when the man was 24 inches in front of him and he was afraid he might run him down.

PC Richard Allen was called to the scene and arrested Jackson.

Drivers going towards Worcester had to slow and move to the centre of the road to avoid a collision, he said in a statement.

At the police station Jackson claimed the police had made trumped-up and false allegations which had led to his protest.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC, sitting with a magistrate, dismissed the appeal. Jackson must pay costs.