A MAN with mental heath problems who drinks 40 pints a day has been fined after he set a bicycle alight.Andrew Hogarth, 37, of Upper Layer Street, Ipswich, admitted criminal damage by fire, and two counts of resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
By Amanda Cresswell
A MAN with mental heath problems who drinks 40 pints a day has been fined after he set a bicycle alight.
Andrew Hogarth, 37, of Upper Layer Street, Ipswich, admitted criminal damage by fire, and two counts of resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
He had been drinking at a party in Rendlesham Court when he became abusive after he being teased.
Prosecutor Gareth Davies, said: "Quite a lot of alcohol had been consumed by all of them. Hogarth had consumed a great deal of it. A figure of 40 pints a day is mentioned.
"His mood changed quite sharply and he became verbally aggressive towards members of the group drinking there.
"They were quite taken aback by his reaction and they requested him to leave."
The court heard the 37-year-old stormed off and came across a bike in the passageway belonging to someone at the party.
Mr Davies said: "He set fire to it and threw it over the balcony. It landed on the ground below.
"It attracted the attention of the fire brigade and must have made quite as spectacle.
Police arrived and Hogarth struggled when he was arrested.
During the struggle both police officers received minor injuries.
Neil Saunders, said for the last few years Hogarth had suffered from mental health difficulties which he is receiving support for in sheltered accommodation.
"There were young lads at the party and they could be taken advantage of and Hogarth does like a drink and they did too. His mood did change – they wound him up a bit."
Mr Saunders added when the police arrived he was 'fairly incoherent' and there was a struggle.
Hogarth was fined £50 for damaging the bike and £25 each for resisting arrest.
He was also ordered to pay the two police officers £25 for their minor injuries and ordered to pay £55 costs.
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