A HEREFORD man became agitated after the torch he was carrying was mistaken for a metal baton, a court heard.

Wayne Powell, 45 of Grandstand Road, pleaded guilty to resisting officers on Wednesday.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard police were called to the Tesco supermarket in Hereford city centre on January 9 following reports that a man was carrying a metal baton.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said when police arrived they questioned Powell who became uncooperative and agitated.

After he verbally insulted the officers and struggled to pull away, he was arrested for being in possession of a weapon.

Following a further struggle Powell was taken to the ground and handcuffed.

Chris Read, defending, said there was a misunderstanding and Powell was carrying a torch clipped to his belt, which he said was in full view.

Mr Read said Powell explained it was a torch and offered to remove it, but police said they would as they were wary he had a weapon.

Mr Read said: "He accepts he could have handled the situation a lot better than he did and apologises for that."

Powell was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

As he left the dock he asked Mr Read when he would be able to get his torch back.