A 48-YEAR-OLD man who admitted swearing outside Worcester Cathedral claimed he was trying to light a candle in memory of a dead relative.

William Cummins admitted being drunk and disorderly, a public order offence and failing to surrender to bail at the city’s magistrates.

He had been due to answer the two charges on Tuesday, October 7, but pleaded guilty to failing to answer to bail.

The court heard how police were called to the cathedral after Cummins caused a disturbance at the main entrance on Tuesday, September 9.

Cummins, who had a dog with him at the time, claimed he was going inside to light a candle for his dead cousin but Mark Soper, prosecuting, said his behaviour and bad language had “upset” people in College Green.

When police asked him to leave he refused and was arrested.

Cummins, of Princip Street, Birmingham, was also arrested for being drunk and disorderly after he was seen drinking a bottle of sherry and swinging a golf club in Broad Street on Monday, September 15.

He was fined £40 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge for each offence.