A MAN from Tenbury Wells who was threatening to hang himself went on to verbally abuse a police officer, a court was told.

Daryl Marston, 20, of Crescent Place, admitted causing harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said the incident happened on Thursday, January 17, when Marston's sister told a police officer her brother had a ligature around his neck.

"She said her brother was sat on a bench in Market Street, Tenbury Wells, trying to kill himself," said Mr Jones, who added Marston had something around his neck tied to a railing.

Marston became abusive when the officer spoke to him. Mr Jones said: "He told the officer in no uncertain terms to go away."

The court was told Marston was already under a community order to do 100 hours of unpaid work and had completed around 20 hours. Marston said he was upset as his grandfather had a serious illness and had only a few weeks left to live.

Chairman of the magistrates Nicola Phillips gave Marston a nine-month conditional discharge.