A DRUNKEN man attempted to stuff his clothes down a custody cell toilet, a court has heard.

Johnathan Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of drunk and disorderly behaviour and one of criminal damage when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had been called to reports of a drunk man trying to get into a car in the hospital car park in Hereford in the early hours of June 12, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

On arrival they found Taylor, who was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words, in the hospital entrance

As officers tried to speak to him, he lay down, refusing to get up while swearing and shouting in sight of staff.

Taylor was arrested and put in a cell at Hereford Police Station, where he was seen on CCTV urinating and spitting on the floor.

He was removed from his cell and later returned to another cell after repeatedly banging his head on the wall.

But once in his new cell, Taylor starting stuffing his clothes down the toilet and spitting in the cell.

The court heard the cells had both required steam cleaning at a cost of £70 per cell.

George Cousins, for Taylor, said the 26-year-old had been very drunk that night.

"He behaviour was due to that," he said.

"He does not remember a great deal of it."

Taylor, of Catherine Street, Hereford, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay compensation of £140. He must also pay a £22 victim surcharge.