A 50-YEAR-OLD man who hurled abuse at motorists and pedestrians as he walked along Hill Street has been jailed for two months.
Christopher Henry Hall had drunk five cans of strong beer by 8.40am on Friday morning before he started gesturing at drivers with his middle finger and shouting “f*** off” at pedestrians, the Magistrate’s Court heard.
Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said Hall had a lengthy history of offending and had been released from prison only the previous week.
She added: “There were people on their way to work, and his behaviour made them feel afraid. One witness said she was frightened he was going to attack someone.”
Hall admitted the charge of threatening and abusive behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress.
Advocate Sarah Dale, defending, argued for a fine or binding over order rather than another jail sentence.
She said: “Mr Hall is extremely remorseful. He has reiterated it many times.
“There has been a tendency to put Mr Hall in custody, but sending him to custody is not doing anything to change things for him.
“He is sick of being on this merry-go-round. He wants to make big changes.”
However, Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke told him: “This was threatening and it was in a public place.
“You simply cannot come out of prison, get intoxicated and then behave in an aggressive manner. The public need to be protected.”
