A STREET man who was causing a nuisance to his neighbours was drinking rum from a pint glass when police arrived at the scene.

Michael Smith told the officers he “didn’t give a f*** about the neighbours” and later confessed that he had been on a week-long drinking bender.

The 54-year-old defendant of Maple Close, admitted a charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause someone harassment, alarm or distress on August 26 when he appeared in court at Yeovil.

Magistrates were told that the police received numerous reports from residents at a supported housing accommodation in Street about Smith’s behaviour.

“They said the defendant was repeatedly shouting and swearing causing people alarm, and when the police attended at 7.30pm they found him outside his front door,” said prosecutor Andrew Meadows.

“He was still drinking rum from a pint glass and was told to stop being abusive and he then replied that he didn’t give a f*** about the neighbours.”

When he was later interviewed by police Smith said his behaviour was “shocking and disgusting” and he had limited recollection of the events due to the amount he had drunk.

Defending himself, he told the court that he suffered an alcohol relapse and was currently awaiting treatment on the NHS.

“I have stopped drinking spirits and at the time I was seven or eight days drunk and don’t remember anything of it,” he added.

The magistrates fined Smith £120 with a £48 victim surcharge and £40 towards costs.