SWEARING in the street after a drunken argument with his girlfriend has cost a man £135.

Michael Parker, from Bishop Auckland, admitted being drunk and disorderly when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

The 29-year-old, of Beaumont Street, also pleaded guilty to possessing one gramme of cannabis which police found as he was searched at Bishop Auckland Police Station.

Prosecutor Blair Martin said officers were called to an address in Bishop Auckland at around midnight on April 19 amid reports of a domestic disturbance.

They found Parker shouting and swearing in the street and arrested him after he refused to follow their orders and stop.

The court heard he had argued with his girlfriend after drinking.

Leanne Galbraith, in mitigation, said her client did not mean to cause any offence and regularly swears in his every day speech.

Ms Galbraith also said he accepts he should have stopped when told by police, and went on to say he is only an occasional user of cannabis.

Magistrates ordered Parker to pay a £75 fine, £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.