A DRINK pest who was banned from Hereford city centre has been handed a suspended sentence after shouting and swearing in a Birmingham station.

Michael Croke entered a guilty plea when he appeared before magistrates in Birmingham.

The 55-year-old was made subject to a criminal behaviour order banning him from possessing an open container of alcohol in a public place and from various areas of Hereford in 2019.

The order also banned him from behaving in a way that would cause harassment, alarm or distress to the public, including shouting, swearing, or other aggressive, intimidating or disorderly behaviour, whether drunk or otherwise.

But, the court heard, Croke had entered Birmingham's New Street station, shouting and swearing on September 21.

Croke, formerly of Hereford and now of Malmesbury Road, Birmingham, was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He must also pay a £128 victim surcharge.