A DRUNK man who had been lying in the middle of an unlit main road threatened police officers as they tried to escort him to safety, a court heard.

Oliver Durden, 24, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on the A44 at Bringsty.

Amy Davies, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday, said that police were called at 9.30pm on May 10, to reports of a drunk male walking in the middle of the carriageway on the A44, in a 60 miles per hour speed zone.

"People were concerned there was going to be an accident," said Mrs Davies.

"Officers got to the location and met the defendant. They could see he was drunk and staggering in the middle of the carriageway. They could also see that he had urinated himself as there was a wet patch on his groin area.

"Cars were coming around a sharp bend and there was no street lighting so it was obviously a concerning situation. He was asked to get into the police vehicle for his own safety but swore at police officers.

"Two other males told police that they had seen him lying down in the carriageway and had narrowly missed hitting him."

Durden continued to be verbally abusive and told police officers that he would 'kick their heads in'. He was escorted to the police car and arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Representing himself Durden said that a family dispute led to him drinking alcohol heavily.

He said: "I have been helped with my alcohol problem and have been attending AA meetings.

"That evening I had a family dispute and discovered that I had nowhere to live so took to alcohol. I have been off drinking alcohol heavily for six months and this was the first time I have taken to heavy drinking.

"I regret doing it as I have done really well. I am back at AA meetings and getting help."

Magistrates gave Durden a conditional discharge for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.