Wisbech man admits being drunk and disorderly, but insists he is no different from most visitors to popular area

A street popular with drinkers has been described as a place late at night where “99 per cent of people are shouting, swearing and chucking kebabs”.

The comment was made during the court case of a Wisbech man charged with being drunk and disorderly in Norfolk Street, King's Lynn at 3.30am on April 27.

Simon Patrick Sparrow, who was unrepresented, reluctantly pleaded guilty but insisted that he was not acting in any different way to the vast majority of people who go there.

He told magistrates in King's Lynn yesterday: “I was like everyone else is in Norfolk Street at that time – as drunk as a skunk.

"Ninety-nine per cent of people there are shouting, swearing and chucking kebabs.”

Prosecuting, Jane Walker said a police officer was on duty outside a bar, from where Sparrow had just been ejected by door staff for being too drunk.

The officer was directing Sparrow to leave the area and walked him to a taxi.

Miss Walker said the taxi driver insisted on receiving the fare up front, such was the state of Sparrow, who swore as he ordered the driver to take him where he wanted to go.

The driver refused so the police officer told the 48-year-old defendant he needed to get out.

“He refused again and was then arrested for being drunk and disorderly,” added Miss Walker.

Sparrow told the court that he was not prepared to pay £65 to be taken to Wisbech, as he was out with a friend who could drive him home.

The 48-year-old, of Grosvenor Road, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £40 costs plus a £30 victim surcharge.