A DRUNKEN man who lay in the road blocking traffic before threatening to taser police is facing jail.

Police were called to a house on Scott Street, Shildon, at 2pm on Saturday, November 16, following reports of two men fighting.

They found no sign of a disturbance but were told that Timothy Clements, 22, had been at the house and had injured his hand.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard officers then learnt that Clements was lying in the middle of Redworth Road blocking traffic.

PC Michael Banks told the court: “We found him in the road near the Shildon Railway Institute.

“The male jumped up and he shouted abuse at us. He then told us that he had a taser that he would use on us.

“He continued to be abusive and he threatened to bite my nose off.”

Clements, of Victoria Street, Shildon, denied using threatening words or behaviour and also to two charges of assaulting the police.

He did not appear at court but failed to produce a sick note and so the magistrates convicted him in his absence. 

Clements had told police he had drunk 12 cans of lager, half a bottle of bourbon and some whisky.

The court heard that Clements had not taken his medication and said he was unable to remember the incident. Clements apologised to the police for his actions and said he had no taser.

The magistrates felt that Clements faced a possible 12-week jail term and wanted a pre-sentence report.

So they issued a warrant without bail for his arrest to bring him to court.