Young drinker turned abusive in Chesterfield town centre

A young man has narrowly escaped prison after he drank booze and became abusive in Chesterfield town centre.
Beetwell Street.Beetwell Street.
Beetwell Street.

Patrolling officers saw James Cawood sitting on a wall on Beetwell Street at about 6.40pm on June 2, Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard.

Gillian Foxcroft, prosecuting, said: “He was drinking from a can and appeared to be drunk.

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“He was told not to drink alcohol and asked to give up the can.

“He refused and became abusive so the defendant was arrested.”

The Beetwell Street and New Beetwell Street area is covered by a Designated Public Places Order, giving powers to police to seize alcohol in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Cawood, 28, of Sough Road, South Normanton, pleaded guilty to failing to surrender a can of alcohol at Friday’s hearing.

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Julie Page, defending, said: “He didn’t realise it was a designated area and didn’t like the police officer’s attitude towards him.

“He suffers from low moods and drinks because he feels depressed.”

Last year, Cawood was handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for an alcohol-related offence.

Instead of activating the order and sending him to jail, magistrates extended the existing suspended sentence by six months.

Cawood now has a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and he must also pay a total of £155.