Alcoholic sentenced to 30 seconds in jail
From the Echo, first published Thursday 2nd Oct 2003.
AN ALCOHOLIC got a short sharp shock from Weymouth magistrates ... .. after being sentenced to 30 seconds in custody.
Anthony Slater, 51, of no fixed abode, admitted being found drunk in Trinity Street, Dorchester, on September 26.
Prosecuting, Ian Graham said two members of the public phoned 999 because Slater was in such a state that he was falling into the road.
Mr Graham added that people were "quite alarmed" because of the traffic risk and because Slater "really couldn't take care of himself." Police arrested him for his own safety.
In mitigation, Jim Rankin said Slater was an alcoholic and that "the charge speaks for itself".
Magistrates ordered that Slater be detained in custody until they had finished their morning business yesterday and rose for lunch.
But it emerged that Slater was the last case and within seconds he was freed.
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