A man shouted and swore at police officers while refusing arrest by laying in the middle of a housing estate car park in Newtown, a court heard.

George Sam Whyte, 50, admitted using abusive words and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 8.

The incident happened in the Colwyn car park area of the Treowen estate on March 16.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court that Whyte was under arrest but had refused to get into the police van by laying in the car park.

She said that officers warned him about the shouting and swearing which could be “clearly heard” by residents.

Officers then lifted him into the back of the van and he was taken to the police station.

Paul Inns, defending, said Whyte, who is his mum’s carer, was “at a loss as to who called the police” in the first place.

“On this particular day, his mum was ill,” Mr Inns told the court. “He had not been drinking. But things had got on top of him.”

Mr Inns told the court that a head injury that Whyte received “may be some connection to his actions” adding that he had limited recollection of swearing at police officers. He said it was a “confusing scenario”.

He added that the defendant should get full credit for his early guilty plea.

Chair of the magistrates’ bench Nerys Jones ordered Whyte, of Lon Helyg, Newtown to pay an £80 fine, £34 victim surcharge and £85 costs.