Mourner in court after fracas at wake

Burnley Magistrates’ Court was told how Christopher Charles Grieve (23) was arrested when his family called the police after the wake.

Grieve, who was threatening everybody, also punched his brother as well, busting his sibling’s lip during the midnight trouble in Colne,

The court heard Grieve had the chance to apologise to his victim, Sgt Nigel Hindle, who suffered soreness, at the police station.

But, rather than say sorry when he had the chance, he asked which officer it was he attacked and when Sgt Hindle told him: “me,” the defendant then attempted to kick him again.

The hearing was told Grieve, said to have been “extremely close” to his late grandfather, had had at least 10 pints of lager and some shots and Jager bombs.

He had no previous convictions, but had three fixed penalties for being drunk and disorderly, the last in October 2015.

The unemployed defendant, of Thursby Road, Nelson, admitted being drunk and disorderly in Skipton Road, Colne, and police assault on January 19th. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £40 compensation to the officer, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Geoff Ireland (defending) said: “There is some genuine remorse, firstly because he committed the offences on the occasion of the funeral of his grandfather, to whom he was extremely close and secondly, because he lashed out at a police officer. He has no recollection of anything.”