A DRUNK man who went on a “two day bender” abused off duty police officers as they headed to their early morning shift.

Jack Payne was told by chairman of the magistrates bench Antony Fessey that “police officers are not there to be abused by drunks” before giving him a community order.

Payne pleaded guilty to two counts of using abusive language that would cause harassment or distress when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday.

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Nichola Ritchie, prosecuting, said PC Paul Wanklyn was on his way to work near Pitchcroft at 6.40am on July 22 when Payne shouted at him, swearing and saying he recognised him as an officer.

Miss Ritchie said: “He then put out his hand to stop him. PC Wanklyn pushed it away.”

Around 10 minutes later PC Sly parked his vehicle in Grandstand Road and Payne, who the officer didn’t recognise, approached him asking for a lift to Warndon.

Miss Ritchie said: “PC Sly said he would not give him a lift, and the defendant then asked what he did.

"At this point he revealed he was a police officer.

“The defendant put his arm through the window into the car, preventing him driving off. He was irate, angry and abusive.

"He kicked out at the wing mirror, fortunately he did not connect.”

Miss Ritchie added the offending happened when he was under a community order for similar offending.

Mark Lister, defending, said: “He has not threatened either officer with violence.

"He went on a two day bender - it is an addiction he has, a serious addiction.”

A probation report found he was complying with the previous order, but had not yet started the alcohol treatment.

Payne, previously of Rodborough Drive, Warndon, but who gave a St John’s property as his current address, was given 40 hours of unpaid work to complete, and ordered to pay £50 compensation to both officers, £100 in costs, and £90 victim surcharge.

Payne will pay this off at a rate of £5 a week.

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