Drunken Wisbech hostel residents damaged property on Christmas Day, court told

POLICE were called to a Wisbech hostel on Christmas Day after drunken residents caused damage to the property. And when Samuel Welfare was taken into the office at The Staithe he tried to stab himself in the face with a pen, magistrates were told. The inc

POLICE were called to a Wisbech hostel on Christmas Day after drunken residents caused damage to the property.

And when Samuel Welfare was taken into the office at The Staithe he tried to stab himself in the face with a pen, magistrates were told.

The incident started when Welfare was refused permission to enter a locked room to collect his wallet, said prosecutor Andrea Fawcett.

A project worker later heard a thump, and found the room door on the floor. During the evening banging was heard, and some damage to tiles was discovered.

The member of staff locked herself out of the office, and Welfare pushed a Perspex screen until it broke. Police called to the hostel found Welfare outside shouting abuse.

When fellow resident Colin Jones arrived on the scene, a police officer was pulled to the ground. The two residents and the officer rolled on the floor.

Welfare, 19, admitted damaging a door handle and a Perspex screen; and 20-year-old Jones admitted damaging a glass shower door and tiles. Both admitted threatening behaviour towards police.

Mitigating for Welfare, solicitor Bal Dhaliwal said the offences were caused by alcohol and frustration, and her client had little recollection of the incident.

Jones was very drunk and had lost his good name, said John McKenna, mitigating.

Both defendants were ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work and pay �42.50 costs.