A DRUNK man staggered into a Hull police station in the early hours of the morning to ask officers for a lift home and was promptly arrested.
James Rooks, 30, was spotted at 2am on December 15 walking around the perimeter of Clough Road Police Station.
Rooks, who has previously worked in sales, pleaded guilty at Hull Magistrates' Court to the rare charge of "being found in an enclosed area for an unlawful purpose", which falls under the Vagrancy Act of 1824.
Rooks also admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
Colette Dixon, prosecuting, said part of the episode had been captured on the police station's CCTV system.
"The defendant was seen on CCTV," she said. "There is a public entrance.
"The defendant walked in and was spoken to by a police officer. He was then seen to walk away.
"At 4.30am the defendant was seen to walk into the secure car park.
"He was taken hold of by officers. He was abusive and threatening to police officers. He was drunk."
Mrs Dixon said unemployed Rooks, who lives with his mother in Galfrid Road, Bilton, was standing near petrol pumps used to fill up patrol cars.
Victoria Kirk, defending, said her client remained "at a loss" as to why he had visited the police station.
She said: "All he can think of is that he was trying to get a lift home to Bilton, where he lives with his mother."
Mrs Kirk said Rooks regretted his actions.
"This was completely out of character for him," she told the court, but conceded he did have a "drink issue".
She added: "He is entirely ashamed of his actions that night."
Rooks was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
