A MAN who shouted abuse at police and then head-butted their patrol car in a North Yorkshire town has been fined by Selby magistrates.

Michael Havron, aged 44, of The Close, Towton, near Tadcaster, admitted being drunk and disorderly on June 6 in Tadcaster.

Steve Ovenden, prosecuting, said police officers spotted Havron standing in the road near The Calcaria pub.

He made a number of rude gestures in their direction and shouted obscenities at them. They warned Havron about his behaviour, but he continued and they arrested him.

When they tried to put Havron in the patrol car, he head-butted the roof. He was kept in police custody until 9.30am the following day.

He said Havron had a string of previous convictions, including two for being drunk in disorderly in 1997 and 1999.

Mark Thompson, mitigating, said: "He recognises that his behaviour was unacceptable and he brought the police to his own attention that evening.

"Going out isn't a big part of his life now, but he consumed a lot of alcohol that day due to personal matters."

Havron was fined £50 with £55 costs.

Updated: 10:17 Friday, June 13, 2003