Man in court after being caught “swigging” alcohol in street

A man has appeared in court after being found “swigging” alcohol in a town centre.

A police officer on patrol in Shipley witnessed Karl Johnson drinking alcohol on Market Street on January 23.

Shipley town centre is one of Several areas in the Bradford District covered by a Public Space Protection Order preventing anti-social street drinking.

Because of the breach of the order Johnson, 60, of Otley Road, was issued with a £100 fine.

This fine was never paid, and so Bradford Council decided to charge Johnson with failing to comply with a public space protection order.

He pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court on Friday.

Dennis Rice, prosecuting on behalf of the Council, said: “He was seen by a police officer on patrol in Shipley.

“The office had a report of someone drinking in the street, and saw the defendant with alcohol in his pocket and taking a swig of alcohol – in breach of the PSPO.”

He told magistrates that the £100 fine was never paid, but after speaking with Johnson it emerged that he had been trying to contact the court to pay the fine, not the Council.

Mr Rice said that because of this misunderstanding he was willing to keep the Counci’s requested costs to a minimum.

Johnson was ordered to pay a £40 fine, £16 court surcharge and £75 costs to Bradford Council.