A DRUNK draped in a Union Jack brought traffic on Blackburn Boulevard to a standstill when he planted himself on the pedestrian crossing outside the railway station.
Blackburn magistrates heard that Anthony Smith was extremely drunk and police on duty on Wednesday afternoon took him to the side of the road for his own safety.
Smith, 21, of Ewood Caravan Park, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being drunk and incapable. He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £50 costs. A charge of being drunk and disorderly was withdrawn.
Peter Wild, prosecuting, said Smith had not been disorderly but had been a nuisance as far as road users were concerned.
Basharat Ditta, defending, said it was a mystery to Smith where he had got the flag from and what he was doing wrapping himself in it.
"He clearly attracted the attention of the police and following his arrest he spent 12 hours in custody," said Mr Ditta. "Perhaps that is more than sufficient punishment for an offence that does not carry imprisonment."
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