A FOUL-MOUTHED father who lost his temper with the police must spend the long weekend summer evenings confined to his home.

Jamie Edward Fox, of Bondgate, in Selby, lashed out with his tongue when he was searched by police officers who were looking for a man with a weapon.

York magistrates heard how the 24-year-old had phoned the police only minutes before to report how he had been assaulted and chased down the street by an armed man.

But when officers arrived at the scene in Back Micklegate car park, in Selby, he was treated as the offender.

Mitigating, Chris McGrogan said: "He was trying to tell them that he was the victim in an assault and the reason he began to swear was that they were taking no notice of this.

"It is not surprising that they didn't find any weapons on him because he was the one that telephoned the police.

"He had been threatened and assaulted by another man. He had been chased and had lost the other man and telephoned the police to make a complaint."

Mr McGrogan said it was no surprise that Fox displayed a lack of respect for the police officers in such a situation.

He said: "To say he felt aggrieved would be an understatement. We have a young man who has tried to do the right thing.

"He has avoided conflict with the man who was attacking him. He has telephoned the police who have arrived and taken no notice whatsoever of the explanation he has given them.

"If police officers expect respect they should be willing to show it, but clearly that wasn't the case in this situation."

Prosecuting, Steven Ovenden told how officers had arrived at the scene at 1.30am on April 25 looking for a male potentially in possession of a weapon. He said: "One of them was Mr Fox. He was asked to come into an area that was better lit and was searched. He was not in possession of any weapons and he was not the person they were looking for."

Fox, who works as an apprentice joiner, then started to become agitated and swore at the officers.

He pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was handed a three-month curfew confining him to his home on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 8pm and 6am. He was also ordered to pay £50 costs.

Senior magistrate Margaret Scott said: "You have accumulated quite a number of offences in the last 12 months, probably associated with alcohol, and we haven't had your fines. However, we were told by Mr McGrogan that you now have a good job and you want to do that job and get on with your life."