A ‘childish’ drunken yob who flicked the Vs at a passing police car has been fined for being drunk and disorderly.

The officers stopped the car and came across to speak to Nathan McManus but he continued to shout and swear at them.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how the 25-year-old was arrested as a result of his abusive behaviour on Saddler Street in Durham city centre on July 14.

Heather Blair, prosecuting, said: “He stuck his fingers up at them as they were driving past. They stopped the vehicle and gave him words of advice about his behaviour.

“He was intoxicated and didn’t engage with them, initially refusing to give them his details. He did eventually give them his details but he continued to shout and swear at them.”

McManus, of Finchale Avenue, Brasside, Durham, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on July 17 and failing to surrender to court when he was due to appear on August 28.

Ben Pegman, mitigating, said his client accepted that his behaviour was out of order and that he had been drinking at the time of his arrest.

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He added: “I don’t think his drinking is out of hand but he has been intoxicated on this occasion.”

District Judge Steven Hood fined the defendant £40 for being drunk and disorderly and ordered him to serve one day in custody for failing to attend court.

“It seems to me this was incredibly childish behaviour that got you into trouble,” he said.

“You were asking for trouble and it has resulted in you being before me today.”