AN alcoholic was arrested after swearing at police responding to a 999 call that he made.
Anthony Richardson called the emergency services at 8pm on February 16 from a phone box in King Street, South Shields, saying he needed help.
When officers turned up, the 54-year-old became abusive and said there was nothing wrong with him.
Richardson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Christopher Brown, defending, said: “He is an alcoholic and was worried about his health and wanted to go to hospital.
“He has one eye and is deaf, so has some health problems.
“But when police turned up, he used some swear words.”
Richardson received an absolute discharge.