A DRUNKEN carpenter attempted to swipe a police officer's legs from beneath him in a row outside a Hereford chippy.

Owen Pearse admitted being drunk and disorderly when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were called to reports of disorder outside the Golden Galleon fish and chip shop in Hereford's Commercial Road at 2.30am on January 30, prosecutor Eleanor Peart said.

Officers said an extremely agitated Pearse was abusive, pulling away from them, and throwing his arms around.

He attempted to swipe one officer's legs from beneath them, and drove his head towards an officer, which resulted in him being restrained.

Speaking on his own behalf, 20-year-old carpenter Pearse said he supposed he was a bit drunk, but that he thought the police account of the incident was a bit exaggerated.

"I know I was in the wrong and I should have acted calmly," he said.

"It was a night out that went wrong, and before the police turned up I was not in the wrong. I do believe that when they turned up, I was in the wrong, and I should have spoken to them properly then."

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Magistrates said Pearse, who has two previous cautions for being drunk and disorderly and resisting a police officer, had been lucky not to end up in court before this.

"It is clear alcohol does not agree with you," chair of the bench Christopher Hillyard said, handing Pearse a 12-month conditional discharge.

"You were honest about it, you had too much, and we accept that. We want you to go and enjoy yourself, but do not take it too far.

"We have decided on a conditional discharge because we do not want you to get into trouble again. We could fine you, and you could pay it and then come back the next time, but we want you to stay out of trouble."

Pearse, of Ferndale Road, Hereford, must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.