Jobless drunk fought police

A JOBLESS drunk who grappled with police officers in Oldham town centre has been told to expect a prison sentence.

Wayne Mulhall (27) was one of a group of five men who were scuffling on Yorkshire Street during the early hours after drinking in the Old Mess House.

A police officer tried to break up the fight — watched by a 60-strong crowd — after seeing one man being kicked as he lay on the ground. However, the officer himself ended up on the floor.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told that a Special Constable then tried to intervene. He was confronted by Mulhall, of Lime Road, Limeside, who ran at him with fists clenched and arms outstretched.

The constable attempted to restrain him but also ended up on the ground, as did a woman police officer who also tried to help.

Kim Irving, prosecuting, said Mulhall had been extremely aggressive during the incident which happened around 3am on October 10, last year.

He later claimed that he got involved in the scuffle because he believed his 18-year nephew James Kearnon was being attacked and had been trying to break it up.

The court was told that unemployed Mulhall, who has a number of convictions for offences including battery, had alcohol problems, which stemmed from boredom.

Mulhall has pleaded guilty to a single charge of affray. Mr Kearnon has already been given a 12-month community order by Oldham magistrates for his part in the incident.

Remanding Mulhall in custody for two weeks until sentence, Judge Bernard Lever told him: “You have a very unattractive record and seem to think the law doesn’t apply to you.”

Mulhall will appear before the court for sentencing on April 29.