Homeless Ross man begged officers to arrest him

12:00pm Monday 29th September 2008

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A ROSS-on-Wye man who threatened to break into a town centre shop begged officers to arrest him, a court was told.

Andrew Lawrence, aged 35, of Henry Street, was drunk on cider and desperate for sleep after being released from prison.

Lawrence appeared before Hereford Magistrates last week, having admitted to being drunk and disorderly and threatening to cause criminal damage.

Gemma Goode, prosecuting, said Lawrence made the threats outside Ross police station at 2.10am on August 28.

She added that Lawrence had drunk a two-litre bottle of cider beforehand and made plenty of noise before his arrest.

“He said to the officer if he didn’t get arrested he would smash a window in the town and sleep inside,” she said.

Chris Read, defending, said Lawrence was homeless at the time and felt secure in prison.

He added provisional accommodation was being offered in Cheltenham and urged magistrates not to impose a community order.

“What Mr Lawrence really needs to resolve his situation is accommodation – he knew full well what he was doing,” he said.

Lawrence was handed a three-week prison sentence by Magistrates, but was released as he had spent the time in custody.