A LACK of friends in Marlborough was the reason why Alan Ross was guilty of drunk and disorderly behaviour, he told magistrates.

Ross, 33, admitted the offence when he appeared before Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes on Monday.

Ross, of London Road, Marlborough, was lying outside the Bear pub in The Parade when police were called just before midnight on October 15. He abused the police and also swore at the landlord of the Bear and members of the public.

Ross, who represented himself, told the court although he had lived in Marlborough for five years he worked anti-social hours in the catering industry and as a result had virtually no friends.

He said: "If I had more of a social life in the town I am sure this would not have happened. It's not something that happens very often anyway."

Magistrate Geoff Olsen said he understood Ross's feeling of loneliness but he could make more efforts to find friends. Ross was fined £100 and ordered to pay £55 towards prosecution costs.