A DRUNKEN man who struggled and argued with a police officer who found him hanging around the yard of Darlington police station has appeared in court.

Matthew Mclaren, 23, of the town's Bedford Street, admitted that he was so drunk he did not know why he went there in the first place.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Tuesday, January 14) that when an officer confronted him and asked to conduct a search, Mclaren became argumentative and had to be wrestled to the ground.

He pleaded guilty to resisting a constable in the execution of his duty and admitted the offence put him in breach of a community order and a suspended prison sentence imposed last August.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said Mclaren was going through the early stages of a transgender programme and had a number of psychological issues to address.

He added that he was making progress working with staff at West Park Hospital and a spell in prison would set him back.

Magistrates agreed not to activate the suspended prison sentence and instead extended Mclaren’s community order to 18-months.

He was also ordered to pay £40 in court fines and charges.