A MAN found slumped against a lamp post spouted abuse at paramedics and police.

Ryan Greer was taken to hospital because he was feeling worse for wear in Western Road, Brighton.

But his abusive behaviour continued and police had to be called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital because he was upsetting other patients.

He shouted slurs and was spitting at police.

Weeks later he was again found drunk in public. He had a bottle of wine and was approaching random people in Lower Rock Gardens, Brighton.

Both incidents happened during the coronavirus lockdown after the 31-year-old had found himself homeless.

Greer, a Scot, had been a “self-employed” builder on sites but was not entitled to furlough payments or Government help.

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At Brighton Magistrates’ Court it was revealed he had received a lump sum of £300 in benefits and felt depressed because of his housing and work situation, so turned to alcohol.

David Holman, prosecuting, said the first incident happened on March 27 this year and the second on April 10.

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The case was heard at Brighton Magistrates' Court

Greer, of no fixed address, had been in court in October and was given a community order for assault and abuse, Mr Holman said.

The probation service said he had made progress and completed unpaid work and now has paid work again, working on the Royal Sussex County Hospital building site in Eastern Road.

In court it was revealed that at the same time as losing his work as a groundsman on building sites in March, he also lost his home. His live-in landlord died, leaving him with nowhere to go.

“He became rather depressed and took to drink as his solace,” his solicitor James McPherson said.

Greer had no memory of either incident but admitted two charges of being drunk and disorderly in public.

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Mr McPherson said: “I’m quite sure members of the public would have been concerned at someone drunk and shouting at them at close contact. He very much regrets it.”

Magistrate Dr Ian Haffenden said to Greer: “I’m sure you can appreciate the seriousness to other people from the outside looking in.

“This was a silly way of responding to the situation. You are in need, and obviously need to do things right in future.”

Greer was given a conditional discharge and told to pay a £21 surcharge and £85 costs.