Michael Sefton, formerly of Pershore, makes latest court appearance

Michael Sefton, who has regularly appeared in the Worcester News for his court appearances, was back at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (February 2). 

The 60-year-old, of Stanhope Way, Great Barr, Birmingham, but formerly of Little Priest Lane, Pershore, admitted using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour to cause harassment/alarm/distress. 

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said paramedics were called to Pershore High Street on September 3 last year to attend to Sefton, but were unsure of his emotional and mental state. 

COURT: Michael Sefton has appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: West Mercia Police)

Paramedic Sarah Haddada was among those treating Sefton and she told police he had shown "erratic behaviour" after saying he had overdosed on prescription drugs. 

The prosecutor said: "There are comments made (by Sefton) that are unpleasant - some of a sexual nature."

The prosecutor said Sefton had also referred to the victim's hijab, but stressed to magistrates they were not dealing with a racially aggravated offence. 

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The prosecutor added Sefton had a number of previous convictions, his last being in August last year when he was handed nine weeks jail, suspended for a year. 

Barry Newton, defending Sefton, said: "He puts his hand up to what he said, he is very sorry.

"He feels his sense of humour can be crass and puts him in trouble.

"He means nothing by it."

Mr Newton said Sefton suffered from significant mental health problems, and the drugs he took on the day had contributed to him committing the offence. 

The solicitor added Sefton was now at a more settled accommodation in Birmingham that was suitable for his needs, as he is in a wheelchair. 

COURT: Michael Sefton returned to Worcester Magistrates Court

Sandie Morgan, chairman of the magistrates bench, told Sefton they were not activating his suspended sentence due to his mental and physical state at the time of his offending. 

Magistrates did decide to extend the operational period of the suspended sentence by a further two months. 

For the offence Sefton was handed a 12-month conditional discharge being warned, if he committed another offence during that period, he would be doubly punished. 

Sefton was also told to pay court costs of £135 and victim surcharge of £26. 

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The £161 was added to money Sefton already owes the courts from past offending being deducted from his benefits. 

We reported last year Sefton was placed on a strict community behaviour order to address his persistent offending. 

Sefton has previously been in court for making time-wasting calls to the emergency services, making a public nuisance by keeping neighbours awake with loud music, damaging an NHS A&E cubicle and racially abusing Worcestershire Royal Hospital staff.