Christopher Black, 20, was found by police officers "lying face down on the pavement" in Severn Close, Peterlee, when the officers were called to an incident there, prosecutor Debra Jones told Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

When he woke up, Black, who had been drinking, began swearing at the police and had to be forcefully put into a police vehicle.

The court heard that by committing the offence, Black was in breach of a conditional discharge he had been given in May last year for criminal damage.

Ms Jones said: "Officers were on patrol in the Oakerside area and were called to an incident and saw a male lying face down on the pavement.

"Officers tried to rouse him by shaking him. When he woke he was swearing and was told to be quiet as it would cause offence in the residential area."

Ms Jones said Black continued to shout and swear before he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Black, of Snowdon Place, Peterlee, admitted being drunk and disorderly on March 30.

Jaxon Taylor, mitigating, said Black had consumed "a considerable amount of alcohol" on the evening in question and "found himself in Severn Close being attended to by the police officer".

He added that the conditional discharge was given for a "dissimilar matter" of criminal damage in May last year and no action was taken when he appeared in court in October last year for being drunk and disorderly.

Mr Taylor added: "The conditional discharge has almost lapsed. It is some two weeks before it has run its course."

Chairman of the bench William Ferguson fined Black £80 with a £15 surcharge and £60 costs.

He told Black: "This is the second time you have been in breach in a year. It is totally unacceptable. You have come into the adult forum now and it's about time you started to behave yourself like one.

"If you can't control yourself with drink you shouldn't do it.

"It's as simple as that."