A CROWD gave police a round of applause when they arrested a man who was being threatening and abusive in front of members of the public, including children.

Sam Peters, aged 22, of Astwood Road, Worcester, admitted a section five public order offence when he appeared before a deputy district judge at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court was told how officers were called to Swallowfields, Warndon Villages, Worcester, at about 1.55am on Sunday, September 22, after
reports of “disorder in the street”.

Peters admitted the offence, which involves using “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within hearing or sight of someone likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress”.

Fred Pilkington, prosecuting, said officers arrived to find the door of one of the houses open.

When they went inside Peters swore at them and told them to leave. 

He swore again outside and said to the officers, “Do you want to get out of my way?” He also refused to give his name. 

Mr Pilkington said: “His behaviour continued to the point where officers felt he needed to be arrested.

"His language was foul and abusive and he was becoming aggressive. A large number of residents were present, including children. There was a round of applause when he was arrested.” 

Peters had previously been fined and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years after he admitted squeezing a female police officer’s bottom in Lowesmoor, Worcester, in September 2010.

Nick Roberts, in mitigation, said the initial reports of disorder had nothing to do with Peters. 

He said: “While he was asleep those who live at the address had drawn on his face which caused some merriment.

"He accepts his behaviour was out of order. He accepts he should have got into the taxi and left.”

Mr Roberts said Peters had turned his life around and that he had a job working in a warehouse.

Deputy district judge Rufus Taylor said he was minded not to activate a suspended sentence hanging over Peters, but said he had “come close”.

He fined Peters £190 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.