A serial Carlisle nuisance who verbally abused a bus driver has been fined £40 — despite being more than £2,000 in court arrears.
Andrew John Jason Bell, 47, has clocked up more than 220 offences over several years. Many involve him being drunk and abusive to people — including those carrying out public services — in the city centre.
Last month, homeless Bell was handed a 14-week jail term for a public order crime.
And today, Bell appeared remotely at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, over a video link from custody, and admitted another offence.
This occurred in the area of Lonsdale Street on September 1.
“It happened just before midnight,” said prosecutor Diane Jackson. Police received a call to say there had been an incident on a bus. Mr Bell has been abusive to a call handler and a bus driver.
“The bus driver said Bell was drunk and he was offering to fight with him.
“Police found Bell at a bus shelter. He provided multiple accounts that were contradicting each other. He was warned about his behaviour. He was shouting and swearing. This wasn’t taken on board. He was arrested.”
Bell, of no fixed abode, admitted a public order charge in court. “I’m in King Charles’ finest establishment,” he said when asked to give his address.
“I can hear you, chief,” he also said to a court legal advisor. Everything’s all right.”
Kate Hunter, mitigating, said Bell would be given a discount to his sentence in recognition of his guilty plea. “Mr Bell does have mental health issues. I am sure you can see that by the way he presents.”
Magistrates were told, as Bell was a serving prisoner, that a short additional term of custody could be imposed. He owed around £2,000 in previously imposed court fines.
Magistrates added to that sum as they fined Bell £40 for his latest crime. He must also pay a mandatory £16 surcharge.
