Asbo drunk wins bingo hall plea

A drunk who injured a female police officer has been banned from all pubs and clubs in Carlisle city centre - except his favourite bingo hall.

Michael Dicker persuaded magistrates to issue an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) allowing him to continue attending Gala Bingo in the city.

The 23-year-old admitted two counts of being drunk and disorderly and one count of resisting arrest.

The exemption was granted after he argued he would not drink at the hall.

The court heard that six officers were needed to hold him down as he struggled violently in the city centre Walkabout bar last month.

We will take early intervention if there are any signs that he is drinking at the venue Sgt Richard Higgin, Cumbria Police

A female officer injured her hand and bruised her knee in the scuffle.

At the hearing, he admitted a drink problem and agreed he should be banned from certain pubs.

Dicker, of Birdoswald Drive, Carlisle, was banned from consuming alcohol, being under the influence of alcohol and entering licensed premises within the city centre, except the bingo hall.

Sgt Richard Higgin, of Cumbria Police, speaking after the case, said officers would monitor Dicker's behaviour at the hall.

He said: "We hope that this Asbo will enable Dicker to break his cycle of offending.

"We will monitor his behaviour at the bingo hall and take early intervention if there are any signs that he is drinking at the venue or becoming involved in anti-social behaviour."

He was also given a 12-month community service order, supervised for six months, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the police officer and £60 costs.

The details of the case emerged as Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Primary Care Trust and Cumbria County Council launched a crackdown on alcohol abuse in the county.