Man admitted drunkenly abusing police officer at Sunderland Royal Hospital

Darren Tyler, 35, admitted swearing at police officers when he was at Sunderland Royal Hospital on February 18.

Lorna Rimell, prosecuting at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, said shortly after midnight a police officer in the hospital challenged Tyler after seeing he was very drunk and saying if he wasn’t ill then he shouldn’t stay.

She said the defendant, who lives in the city’s Halidon Road, then swore at the officer saying he wasn’t leaving.

Ms Rimell said he was warned about his language in front of members of the public.

She said: “He was saying ‘you should just lock me up’.

“At some point the officer has done just that and arrested him for being drunk and disorderly.”

Peter Thubron, defending, said the police had taken Tyler to the hospital following an earlier incident, but when he saw the length of the queue, he decided he didn’t want to stay.

He said words were exchanged with the police officer, but there was no upset at all to the public or members of staff.

Tyler was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.