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A drunken man streaked through a women's rights protest after binging for eight hours on a stag do , a court heard.

Former serviceman Peter Barker, 45, necked nine pints before stripping off near Nottingham's Old Market Square and running into a crowd of women assembled in the square.

Little did he know the group was actually gathered for the Reclaim The Night rally, which was raising awareness of violence against women.

The demo, which took place on October 24 was attended by about 100 women and children.

(Image: Nottingham Police)

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CCTV showed Barker, of Cotswold Court, Beeston, undressing near the square and handing his clothes to a friend before running through the crowd with his arms aloft.

He is then seen being chased by a police officer and caught just as he disappears around a corner.

Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard Barker defended his actions to the officers who arrested him, claiming it was "only a laugh".

He pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance at a previous hearing, the Press Association reported.

(Image: Nottingham Police)

Prosecuting, Mark Kennedy said: "He had been on a stag do and they had been drinking since lunchtime and during the evening, Mr Barker had decided to strip off and run across the square.

"He was not aware of the demonstration... and regretted the bad timing of his decision.

"It was not meant to trouble any of the ladies or children present."

He added that Barker said they were the actions of a "silly drunk man".

(Image: Nottingham Police)

Mitigating, Katherine Macmillan said Barker's "disinhibition" was caused by the consumption of an "unusually large amount of alcohol", and added the incident was "hugely unfortunate".

She said: "It is quite clear that this was a stupid prank, ill-thought through.

"All he knew was that it was dark and cold, he thought it was the early hours of the morning rather than 8pm in the evening."

(Image: PA)

Barker "expressed profound remorse" at his actions, she added.

Deputy District Judge Richard Marshall said: "There were women present and children and some of them may have been offended by this.

"I understand that you were not aware of this.

(Image: PA)

"Given the number of people there it would be hard to believe you were not aware of them at all.

"It was a prank taken against the background of disinhibition caused by the consumption of a large amount of alcohol."

Barker was sentenced to 80 hours' unpaid work, and ordered to pay a £180 criminal court charge, a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.