A DRUNK man who was shouting and stumbling in the middle of the road had been set upon by youths, said his solicitor.

Simon Cullwick admitted being drunk and disorderly in Lower Chase Road in Malvern when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

The court was told how Cullwick, aged 26, of Madresfield Road, Malvern, was arrested on June 12 after police received reports at about 2.15pm that a fight had broken out.

Kate Price, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was staggering in the middle of the road while shouting verbal abuse and members of the public were walking past.

"He was unsteady on his feet and smelled strongly of alcohol.”

Police received reports that Cullwick had been involved in an altercation with another man over a bottle of cider.

They asked Cullwick to leave and told him his behaviour was not appropriate as there were children present, Mrs Price said.

Mrs Price said Cullwick continued to walk in the middle of the road, causing a vehicle to drive around him before he stumbled into a garden wall.

Mrs Price said: “He continued to shout and scream and he was arrested and taken into custody.”

The offence also placed him in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge for common assault on a 16-year-old boy.

But Kate Oliver, defending, said: “This defendant was set upon by three or four youths.

"That’s why he appears in court with the injuries he has today.”

She said Cullwick, who arrived in court on crutches and showing injuries to the face, had suffered two black eyes, grazes to the forehead and arms and had burst blood vessels in his legs “from punches and kicks”.

Miss Oliver said: “It was not a premeditated act to be drunk and disorderly in a public place.”

Magistrates fined him £40 and ordered him to pay a £15 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

He will still be subject to the conditional discharge for the common assault matter.