A MAN hurled abuse at police in the street because he was frustrated at being unable to make himself understood due to his deafness, a court has heard.

Gary Steven Sheel, 25, was arrested on a public order charge after he became abusive to police who had been called to break up an argument between him and his girlfriend on January 6.

Appearing at Darlington Magistrates’ Court, Sheel, of Corporation Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour during the incident.

Rachel Dodsworth, prosecuting, said police were called to Sheel’s home address by a neighbour who could hear him arguing with his girlfriend at about 2.40am.

Mrs Dodsworth said: “Police decided that to prevent any further issues, either the defendant or his his girlfriend should leave the property. The defendant ran from the property shouting and swearing at police and his partner, who had decided to leave.

“His aggressive behaviour continued and he was arrested – he continued to kick and scream in the back of the police vehicle.”

Clive Booth, mitigating, said Sheel had appeared at court before for similar offences, which all stemmed from his ‘quite severe’ deafness.

He said: “When he cannot express himself so people can understand him, he loses his patience and sometimes his temper. That’s what seems to have happened on this occasion.

“The original argument was a civil noise disturbance matter but the police had to act.”

Magistrates gave Sheel a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a £15 victim surcharge.