Drunken man fined for breaching town ban

Mansfield magistrates were told how Craig Rowbotham (23), of Hillview Road, was seen by a police officer involved in an altercation outside a pub.

David Miles, prosecuting, said staff told the officer Rowbotham, who had been refused entry, displayed slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.

So he was issued with a Section 27 order banning him from he area for 24 hours.

But Mr Miles said the defendant was later seen by police in the carparking area of Weatherspoons on Kirkby’s Kingsway,

Finn Butler, defending, said: “Mr Rowbotham had been at the Badger Box then went on to the Nag’s Head where he normally gets in.

“But the owners did not like the friend he was with. He returned to the area because he was going to a friend’s house.

“This offence was born out of lack of thought rather than any other motive.”

Mr Butler said Rowbotham was already subject to a community order on a ‘wholly dissimilar matter’.

A probation officer confirmed that he was currently subject to 60 hours’ unpaid work.

He was fined £40, given a victim surcharge of £20 and £85 court costs.

Man caught with cocaine in Mansfield nightclub toilets

A Mansfield Woodhouse man has been fined £200 after admitting being caught in possession of cocaine in the toilets of a Mansfield nightspot.

David Miles, prosecuting, told Mansfield magistrates how Ashley Straw (26), of Edmunds Avenue, was found in a toilet cubicle with another male at Rewind Nightclub on 3rd August.

Said Mr Miles: “Staff pushed the door open and the defendant threw two small packets on the floor.”

Mr Miles said Straw denied the offence twice during police interview but was of previous good character and had no history of offending.

Finn Butler, defending, said: “It was a small amount of cocaine and if he had been given more robust advice he would have pleaded guilty.

“He had been on a stag do and the races and had consumed a lot of alcohol. He was offered cocaine and took it.

“This has been his first involvement in the criminal justice system. In my submission there will be no further offending.”

Straw was also given court costs of £85 and a £25 victim surcharge.

A Magistrate said: “We are giving you every opportunity here because you are at the bottom end of the guidelines, but any repeat offending will not get the same consideration.”