A lorry driver and grandfather of 14 told magistrates “I was a prat” after he was pepper sprayed by police and arrested in Grantham town centre.
Graham Morris of Gorse Hill Lane, Caythorpe, admitted a public order offence.
Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, told the court Morris was ejected from the King’s Arms in Westgate, and given a fixed penalty by police for his aggressive behaviour. He was then told to go home.
Instead, he returned to the pub and, according to Mr Pietryka, was heard to shout: “Thanks for getting me arrested earlier. I’m going to f***ing kill you.”
However, Morris denied this version of events, saying: “I went back into the pub but I didn’t threaten to kill him.”
Morris said the trouble began when he fell asleep on the bar in the King’s Arms and took issue with the manner in which he was woken from his slumber by the barman.
Morris said the barman pushed his face, to which he replied: “You ever touch me like that again I will f***ing kill you.”
Morris said he was ejected from the premises but returned and swore at the barman. He said he was then pepper sprayed by police and arrested.
He added: “I was a prat and I stick my hand up. I’m a family man and I love my grand kids. It’s been 19 years since I was last in trouble.”
Morris, 52, was given a six-month conditional discharge. He must also pay £85 in costs and a £15 surcharge.