Staff lock doors to avoid abuse

Police were called to the Esso garage on Wigton Road shortly before 10pm on September 14, after reports that a man was being abusive in the forecourt.

Officers found a drunken Daniel Hamilton, who was acting in a disorderly manner.

The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court yesterday.

Adrian Hollamby, prosecuting, said: “Members of staff locked the doors with the defendant outside and called police.

“Mr Hamilton was waving his arms around and being abusive in the forecourt.

“He does have a record, but all are of some age. The last of those was in 2015 at Carlisle Crown Court, when he received a 10-month sentence for supply of cannabis.”

Hamilton, of Stonegarth in Carlisle, told police he’d had one pint of beer. Defending, Jeff Smith said his client has a history of mental health problems.

“Many of the problems he has relate to mental health problems,” he explained.

“They appear to give him a mountain to climb to live an ordinary life.”

The court also heard that Hamilton suffers from borderline personality disorder and epilepsy.

“He has an anxiety problem and has medication for that,” continued Mr Smith.

“Sometimes the medication works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s an unusual case.

“He is a young man with a significant number of problems who lives alone in the community.”

Mr Smith acknowledged his client did not have a completely clean record.

“There are convictions in the past, but no recent ones. He is doing what he can to return to the straight and narrow.

“Had it not been for a pint he had he might not be standing here today.”

Presiding magistrate Roger Birkett said: “We are going to give you a conditional discharge, so nothing happens today but if you offend again in the next 12 months we will deal with this offence and the other offence.”

Hamilton, who appeared in court wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a grey jumper, was ordered to pay a £21 victim surcharge.