Brian Measor, 18, (pictured) appeared before Hartlepool Magistrates' Court accused of the act on the town's war memorial in Victoria Road.
Measor was allegedly spotted shortly after midnight on November 29 "either urinating or about to urinate", the court heard.

But the teenager denied this and claimed he unfastened his clothing to stop him feeling sick.

District Judge Martin Walker gave Measor a one-year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 costs after the teenager, of Wordsworth Avenue, Hartlepool, admitted being drunk and disorderly.

Prosecuting, Lilian Atkinson, said it was 12.20am when Measor was seen by police unbuttoning his jeans and unfastening his belt "stood by the war memorial where members of the public could clearly see the defendant's behaviour".

Mrs Atkinson said: "It appeared that the defendant was either urinating or about to urinate.

"Police approached. He saw officers and attempted to walk away."
Measor was arrested and handcuffed and told officers "you have no proof".

Mrs Atkinson said one of Measor's friends "tried to fasten the trousers up for the defendant to prevent him from falling over".

In interview, Measor, of previous good character, said that he had drunk five pints of lager and that he was feeling ill before he went out and was going to get a taxi.

He told police he started to feel ill and went over to the memorial and unbuttoned his trousers and belt to stop him from feeling sick.

The court heard that when it was put to him that he urinated on the war memorial he totally denied doing this and said CCTV should be checked, but admitted he was drunk.

Measor, who is employed and represented himself in court, said: "I should not have been there at that time. I should not have approached the war memorial."

District Judge Martin Walker said: "It's bound to cause people in the general public to be upset because memorials for the dead and those who have lost their lives in wars for this country are special to everybody."

When asked by the Mail outside the court whether he was sorry Measor replied: "Of course I am."