MAGISTRATES have jailed a homeless man who breached an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) by refusing to leave a town centre medical practice when he was drunk.
John Reintoul, 53, was yesterday sentenced to eight weeks in custody after he pleaded guilty to breaching the order.
Magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe heard that Reintoul visited Bishopgate Medical Centre, in Bishop Auckland, at about 6.15pm on Tuesday while intoxicated and for no medical reason.
He refused to leave the premises when asked by staff and continued to act in a drunk and disorderly manner and threatened staff until police were called to the surgery.
The hearing was told that, earlier on Tuesday, Reintoul had appeared at the same court for being drunk and disorderly in Darlington, but escaped jail because the Asbo does not cover the town.
In mitigation, Clive Booth, said Reintoul was an alcoholic and could not remember how he behaved in the surgery.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article