Councillor wants to keep post despite court shame

William Proctor, known locally as Jim, was fined £37, £50 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge, after admitting a charge of being drunk and disorderly in a public place and apologising to the court.

Following the case the councillor, of Raikes Road, Great Eccleston, said: “I had a drink. I pleaded guilty. I wasn’t celebrating anything... A few people had died over the past year. I don’t know what is going to happen yet.

“I don’t think it should reflect on the council anyway. It’s not dishonesty - it’s not anything like that. I’ve been on the council for many years and I’ve always done the best for the community and the community knows that.”

He added: “It’s just an unfortunate situation.”

Parish Council Clerk Hugh Glover said: “The advice I have is that when the incident occurred he wasn’t acting as a parish councillor. we have a council meeting next week and the agenda has not been finalised.”

Preston magistrates were told Proctor threw himself on the floor in a drunken rage during the incident on November 16 when he was told his bus pass was not valid for the late night journey.

He told the court he had been scattering a friend’s ashes and was in considerable pain from a condition in his arms.

When police arrived, Proctor, 68, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch committee, became abusive and threw himself on the floor, making “strange noises”, the court heard. He was shouting, demanding to be taken home.

Police asked him to stop shouting and explained the driver was not able to take him because a collision had caused delays. Proctor was taken to the police station.