A CHARD man who was found lying in the middle of the A30 when concerned motorists called the police, refused attempts by police to take him home.

When officers arrived at the scene they found Michael Arthur Straw sitting up but still in the middle of the road and swigging from a bottle of rum.

He started shouting abuse and although he was taken home, just 10 minutes later was found sat in the middle of East Street, and after telling the police to “f*** off” was arrested.

Straw, 54, of East Street, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly at Chard on July 20 and also admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge imposed in January for an offence of theft.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens said that just before 11pm the police received a report of a male lying in the carriageway of the A30 Crewkerne Road in Chard who appeared to be drunk.

“When they attended they found Straw who was now sitting up but under the influence of drink and he had an opened bottle of rum which was partially consumed,” he said.

“He was abusive saying he just wanted to be taken home, but when they offered to do that he refused.

“He was eventually returned home but 10 minutes later a police constable was in East Street in Chard and could see Straw sitting in the middle of the road again.

“He told the officer to f*** off and refused to go back into his home address and when he continued to shout and swear he was arrested.”

The court was told that the defendant was given a conditional discharge by the same court in January after admitting the theft of a bottle of rum from Tesco on New Year’s Eve.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Straw had been suffering from confusion and blackouts and also had a heart condition.

“However having consumed alcohol as well did not help the situation on this night,” he added.

For being drunk and disorderly the magistrates fined Straw £40 with a £30 victim surcharge and allowed the conditional discharge to run.

The defendant also pleaded not guilty to an allegation of stealing groceries worth £1.45 belonging to Lidl at Chard on May 19 and was also charged with related matters of assault and assaulting a police constable.

For these offences Straw elected to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court and that case was adjourned until September 12 when he must attend a pre trial hearing there and was given unconditional bail.