A 43-YEAR-OLD homeless man broke down in the dock as he pleaded with city magistrates to get him a tent, after admitting verbally abusing police officers.

Lee Cleaveley was given the unusual punishment of being forced to stay on the court grounds for a set period by magistrates, who also told him there was nothing they could do to get him a tent.

Shafquat Reaz, prosecuting, said on March 2 officers were called to the front counter of Worcester Police Station to a disturbance.

Mr Reaz said officers saw Cleaveley swearing and at one point throwing a coat. Cleaveley, who was drunk, then hurled abuse at officers before leaving the station.

Mr Reaz said outside the station the abuse of officers continued and, at one point, he emptied a bottle of Lucozade over his head and shouted at officers. Mr Reaz added the offence was witnessed by passers-by, before he was arrested.

While Mr Reaz was addressing magistrates, Cleaveley made an outburst saying what was being said was not true, before becoming upset and wiping tears away with his t-shirt. There was a short break in proceedings while he composed himself.

Mark Turnbull, defending, said: “You will have seen Mr Cleaveley does have a record, you may have come across him previously in these courts.

“Mr Cleaveley is homeless. He was living in a tent in Castle Street - you may have seen it.”

Mr Turnbull said on the day Cleaveley was intoxicated, and went to the station to discuss a £20 note being taken from him. But he said, he became agitated as he felt police did not help.

“In particular what he was really saying is you are quick to arrest me, I go to you for help and you are not interested,” Mr Reaz said.

“He said it in an inappropriate manner.”

Mr Turnbull added Cleaveley was currently living in woodland but was close to being moved on and the tent he was living in had become damaged. A probation report found Cleaveley had been engaging with them, and dealing with his issues.

Magistrates looked at the outstanding money owed to courts, and decided to write off £1,760 explaining this had been before a jail sentence he had served.

Judith Hulland, chairman of the magistrates bench, said that as punishment what they had decided to do was force Cleaveley to stay in the court building for a further two hours.

“Consider that as the punishment for the offence,” the magistrate said.

Cleaveley then broke down as he said: “I haven’t got a tent, can you get me a tent?”

The court clerk, magistrates and a probation officer said here was nothing they could do, suggesting he speak further with his solicitor.

The case was heard last Thursday.

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