A WREXHAM AFC matchday steward has admitted to being drunk and disorderly after police became involved in a late night dispute with door staff.

Richard John Thomas Lewis, 30, of School Street, Rhos, was handed a 12 month conditional discharge after shouting and swearing at police after they intervened in the disturbance on Hope Street at around 11.30pm on November 2.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court how police found Lewis in an agitated state at the scene after a scuffle had broken out and because he continued to shout and swear in their presence, charged him with being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Lewis, defending himself in court, said how he used to work as a welfare officer at Rosies nightclub in Chester, where he would often help people who were “worse for wear” through too much alcohol. He admitted to being in an agitated state and explained how a female officer had initially approached him from behind which caused him to “react” because he had no idea who it actually was. Lewis said he immediately apologised to the officer when he realised who she was, and how the subsequent involvement of other police officers had made the matter much worse. Lewis also said he had been working as a Traffic Warden until recently, but had decided to quit because of the amount of abuse he would regularly receive while going about his job.

Magistrates told Lewis he would not be penalised for the offence, as long as he stayed out of trouble for the next 12 months, but must pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £21.