Hunt protester given court discharge

Mr Sherwood was protesting outside Parliament

A kennel worker who swore and shouted at police officers during a demonstration outside of the Houses of Parliament escaped a penalty after apologising in court.

Magistrates heard David Sherwood, 46, from Whittonstall, Northumberland, was "verbally hostile and aggressive" during December's protest.

Bow Street magistrates in London were told on Monday that the demonstration had been held over the government's hunting bill.

Around 3,000 mainly pro-hunting supporters demonstrated outside Parliament on 16 December as MPs debated the government's proposals on hunting with hounds.

'Verbally hostile'

Delores Baratt, prosecuting, said Sherwood approached officers at a cordon erected to control the demonstration.

She said: "He was clearly under the influence of alcohol...he grew verbally hostile and aggressive to the officers.

"He continued to behave in a disturbing manner ... he was eventually arrested after being warned at 1645 GMT."

He was charged with being drunk and disorderly the following morning, 17 December.

Sherwood, representing himself, pleaded guilty and said from the dock: "I'm sorry."

Magistrates imposed no penalty and conditionally discharged him for 12 months.