A MAN who refused to go home at the height of lockdown has been convicted for flouting the rules.

Police came across William Joseph Maxwell, 36, whilst attending an altercation on the evening of May 9 in Darlington.

Ansab Shan, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday, said: "Police were called to an address in Oaklands Terrace, in Darlington, and arrived to find a man covered in blood.

"Whilst speaking to the man Mr Maxwell began interrupting police and telling the man he didn't have to speak to them, to the point that police could not understand what the man covered in blood was trying to say.

"Police asked the defendant several times to go home but he refused. They told him he would be fined and he replied "I'm not bothered, it's only £60, I'll give you it right now.'"

Maxwell, of Appleby Close, Darlington, pleaded guilty to being drunk in disorderly in a public place, obstructing a constable in execution of their duty and contravening direction during the coronavirus emergency period on May 9.

David Dedman, mitigating, said his client was of good character with only three convictions and nothing since 2006.

District Judge Tim Capstick told Maxwell: "You should not have had so much to drink and you should not have been obstructive to police officers.

"This was at the height of the lockdown period and I imagine the police will have had better things to do."

Maxwell was fined £150 and ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge.