Shoplifter was level “10” on drunk scale during police stand-off at Brimington Co-op

Drunkard Dennis Gorton, 35, was seen waving a wine bottle above his head outside the store while telling an approaching police officer “come near me and I’ll f****** smash you”.

After dropping the bottle and being arrested Gorton then made threats to “headbutt” officers while on the way to the station during the March 4 incident.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard how the mad spectacle unfolded after unemployed Gorton smashed a wine bottle on the floor of the store - leading to reports of a “drunk male causing a nuisance”.

Prosecutor Julie Costello described how during police interview Gorton - level “10” on the drunk scale - “could not remember the events”.

Ms Costello added: “He said he didn’t know what had happened - he didn’t remember doing it.”

Gorton’s solicitor Karl Meakin said his client - “drunk to excess” at the time - had been drinking through the night and the morning leading up to the incident.

He said: “He was in a very intoxicated state and was experiencing family difficulties - he doesn’t regularly drink to excess and this was in response to family problems.”

Gorton, of West Lea, Clowne, admitted theft and threatening behaviour.

A magistrate told Gorton, whose last conviction was a similar shop theft in 2018,: “You’ve been out of trouble for a long time - let’s keep off the booze.”

He was fined £160, made to pay compensation of £8.80 for the wine, £85 court costs and £34 victim surcharge.

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