A Maryport man seen drunk in the street while on bail awaiting his punishment for wounding and carrying an offensive weapon has been sentenced.
John Chawner, 23, of Mosedale Crescent, was handed a 24-month jail term by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court early last month. This was for one offence of unlawfully wounding a man, and a second of illegally carrying a metal bar, both on April 5 last year.
But having admitted those crimes and been released on bail ahead of his crown court sentencing hearing, Chawner came to the attention of police in the early hours of February 20 this year.
Residents of Ewanrigg Road in Maryport reported a disturbance at around 2.30am. Officers heard shouting and found Chawner, who was persuaded to walk home.
He was escorted by officers and deemed under the influence of alcohol. “He was described, at times, as bumping into stationary cars and intimated he was potentially going to self-harm,” prosecutor Peter Kelly told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.
On reaching his home address he was refused entry and then arrested as officers sought to prevent a breach of the peace. He was “difficult” inside the police vehicle, punching and kicking the cage, and incapacitant spray was used when he refused to calm down.
When appearing in court remotely over a video link from custody, Chawner pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in public. A separate charge of violent behaviour on a police station was withdrawn by the prosecution.
When asked by District Judge John Temperley what he wished to say in his defence, Chawner replied: “Just that I can’t remember a single thing. I don’t know what went on.”
Noting that Chawner was not due for release from custody on a home detention curfew until later this year at the earliest, District Judge Temperley imposed a 12-month conditional discharge.
