A man has admitted being drunk and disorderly outside a Harrogate hostel.

Graham McMillan appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (February 6), where he pleaded guilty to one count of being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police were contacted by staff at Harrogate Homeless Project on the evening of January 8 this year.

The force was called to the charity’s Bower Street hostel as McMillan was “banging on the doors and windows” and trying to get inside the hostel.

The court heard when officers arrived, the 40-year-old defendant was standing outside the hostel holding a bottle of alcohol.

Officers "could tell he was drunk", Ms Ibbotson said.

She told the court the defendant, who previously lived at the hostel, refused to leave the area and declined to sleep at another hostel.

McMillan, who gave the court a York address, was arrested. He also breached a conditional discharge by committing the offence.

McMillan, who was not legally represented in court, reiterated that he had lived at the hostel prior to the offence.

He added:

The magistrates ordered McMillan to pay £141 in total to the court.

This comprises a £40 fine, a £16 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.