End of business '“start of trouble...

James Meakins, of Lincoln Avenue, Bognor, also resisted a police officer, causing him to have a nose bleed.

Chichester Magistrates' Court heard Meakins had ended his sandwich delivery business the day before he was arrested on April 25, to avoid huge financial debts.

He had been out to a nightclub with his friend. After purchasing a burger and chips his friend was confronted by seven Polish men.

Meakins, 21, had been arguing with the group when police spotted him at Waterloo Square at 2.30am.

Police said he '˜smelt strongly of alcohol' and after continuing to argue with the group he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Meakins had '˜tensed-up' because he did not want to be arrested and had to be forced down to the floor of a police van, causing one officer to suffer a nose bleed. A bag of white powder was found in his pockets, which was confirmed to be cocaine worth 50. Meakins admitted the cocaine was for personal use.

He was given a one-year conditional discharge, meaning if he commits another offence in the next 12 months he could be given a more serious sentence.

He was ordered to pay court costs of 70. The bag of cocaine was also ordered to be destroyed.