Drunk man mistook officer for a stripper !

Man admitted obstructing a police officer after flicking her in the face with a towel believing she was a stripper.

A man has been arrested after mistaking a female police officer for a stripper, dancing in front of her and whipping a bar towel in her face.

Mirroring a scene out of Only Fools and Horses, Paul Harbord thought it was his lucky day when a female officer walked into the Black Bull pub in Old Shotton, County Durham.

The 27-year-old, who had been enjoying an all-day drinking session with a large group, mistook the officer for a stripper when she came in to investigate ‘rowdy’ behaviour on December 29.

Harbord, who is a rigger, was told by one of his friends to expect ‘entertainment’ that evening, so when she entered the pub he shouted ‘look, here is one of the strippers,’ a court heard.

Chairman of the bench David Carr described it as an ‘unfortunate affair’.

Vicky Wilson, prosecuting at Peterlee magistrates court, said: ‘He was part of a large group dressed up. At 9.30pm a female police officer arrived at the pub, following concerns that the group was rowdy.

‘Harbord shouted “look, here is one of the strippers” as he flicked a bar towel in the officers face.’

Harbord, of Peterlee, Country Durham, admitted to obstructing a police officer and was given a six-month conditional discharge. He was ordered to pay £85 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Article courtesy of www.policeoracle.com