COMPANY boss Kevin Towers made "a bit of a fool'' of himself by his behaviour when confronted by police after a night out.

Towers, 27, managing director of a company employing a 13-member workforce, pleaded guilty yesterday to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to PC William Hickson.

He was fined £300 with £70 costs by Harrogate magistrates.

After hearing how married father-of-two Towers was filled with remorse over his antics following a six-pint drinking session, court chairman John Carter told him: "You made a bit of a fool of yourself.''

Caroline Midgley, prosecuting, said police had been called to a bar in The Ginnel, Harrogate, on Sunday, April 7 after Towers, of Firs Avenue, Harrogate, had been asked to leave. He repeatedly swore at officers and while PC Hickson was doing routine fingerprinting, photography and DNA profiling, he asked: "Why aren't you out catching robbers.''

Mrs Midgley said Towers' attitude intensified and his behaviour made PC Hickson feel more distressed, reviled and demeaned than at any time in a six-year police career in York and Harrogate.

In mitigation, Elizabeth Kidd said Towers was a successful businessman who had acted totally out of character.

She said Towers had felt he was not being listened to and had over-reacted in an alien environment.