A MAN was fined yesterday after he admitted shouting abuse at passers-by and then injuring a police officer who tried to arrest him.

Adam Shaun Overfield was seen by police officers sitting on a bench in Bishop Auckland Market Place, shouting and swearing at people who walked past, on the night of Saturday, August 11.

He was heard yelling foul language to one group he thought were from Darlington.

As police approached him, he launched an angry tirade against them, and added: "What have you been doing all day - catching people with your little speed guns?"

He then ran off, heading towards Newgate Street before changing direction, but ran into a policeman, knocking him to the ground. The officer tried to arrest him, but required back-up as the 27-year-old was kicking out, which he continued to do on the way to the police station.

Overfield, of Redworth Road, in Shildon, pleaded guilty to drunk and disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest when he appeared before Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court.

John Turner, mitigating, said that his client had downed an "inordinate amount" of alcohol.

The officer suffered pain to his thigh and neck and Overfield was ordered to pay £20 to him and a colleague who had tried to arrest him. He was also fined £100, £43 costs and a £15 victim's surcharge.