A Harrogate man was sentenced for being drunk and disorderly in a public place on Thursday (July 17).

Travis Townend, of Avenue Grove, pleaded guilty to the offence at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police were called to Avenue Grove on June 28 following reports of a man swearing and throwing items on to the road.

When police arrived, a woman directed them down the street where the man – Townend – was.

Townend, who was topless at the time, was visibly intoxicated and stumbling in the street when police found him.

He told officers to leave him alone, the court heard.

Ms Ibbotson said police lost sight of him temporarily, but he was later seen “hiding behind cars”.

“He was found lying face down on the floor”, she added.

Townend, who police said was emotional, was arrested at around 10.40pm.

Mental disorder had 'huge impact' on Townend’s life, court hears

Brian Nuttney, defending, told the magistrates Townend suffers from multiple personality disorder.

The court heard Townend, 25, had been with another person on the day of the offence. The person then “attacked him”, Mr Nuttney said, which triggered Townend's disorder. 

“A different personality emerges, that’s what happened here”, Mr Nuttney added.

The court was told:

Mr Nuttney described the offence as a “regretful incident” and cited Townend’s “limited” criminal record.

“It was a blip and he was in a bad state of mind due to the assault”, he added.

The chair of the magistrates’ bench told Townend his actions “did seem to be out of character as you have been out of trouble for some considerable time”.

He was handed a six-month conditional discharge.

Townend was also ordered to pay a £26 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.