A MALVERN man breached his criminal anti-social behaviour order by drinking alcohol in public, Worcester magistrates heard.

Kevin Bayliss, of Elgar Avenue, appeared before the courts for the eighth time in just four months after drinking outside a series of business premises in Edith Walk.

Bayliss, aged 43, was given the Crasbo back in February for numerous offences of being drunk and disorderly in public. The order warned him not to consume any alcohol at all outside the confines of his own home.

John Shearon, prosecuting, said: "On Tuesday, June 12, police were called to Edith Walk and found Mr Bayliss sitting with three cans of bitter.

"He said he was drinking shandy, but it was alcohol. The basis of the breach of the Crasbo is that he was drinking in a public place. It appears that he is a regular in these courts."

Nick Roberts, defending, said: "I don't really know what to say - is it really the case that taxpayers want to pay £1,000 a week to have this man put in prison?

"The bitter was 2.1 per cent alcohol - he thought it was a shandy. He has spent much of his life living rough on the streets, suffers from epilepsy and has sought solace in alcohol."

Bayliss, who pleaded guilty to breaching the Crasbo, is just about to start an alcohol rehabilitation programme for previous offences.

District Judge Bruce Morgan said: "If you want a drink, why don't you do it in your own home instead of doing it in public? This really has to be your last opportunity before the courts."

Bayliss was told the sentence would be deferred until Thursday, September 6, to give him a chance to stop drinking.