Drunk 'asleep in the street in a rainstorm' (From South Wales Guardian)

Drunk 'asleep in the street in a rainstorm'

1:00pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News

A 36-YEAR-OLD Ammanford man found sleeping on the streets of Llanelli in a rainstorm was so drunk he had to be arrested for his own safety, a court has been told.

Paul Anthony Quilligan, of 57 Pantyffynnon Road, was found by police at 1.40am on September 20 in Park Street after passers-by alerted officers to his presence and said they were concerned about his well-being.

Llanelli magistrates were told that when Quilligan was spoken to he had “no idea why he was in Llanelli and was not capable of looking after himself”.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court: “He was slumped on the ground and it was cold and wet.

“He had no shelter from the wind or the rain and was clearly heavily intoxicated.

“When the police were able to speak to him, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

“He had no idea why he was in Llanelli and had no money for a place to stay.

“Due to his level of intoxication he had no way of looking after himself so the officers decided to arrest him for his own safety as he was drunk and incapable.”

Cara Young, mitigating, told the court: “ He accepts that he was extremely drunk and was incapable of looking after himself on this evening.

“He also accepts that he has an issue with alcohol and has been diagnosed with liver disease.”

Ms Young added that at the time of the incident Quilligan was taking anti-depressants and suggested his state may well have been brought on by his drinking while taking the medication.

Quilligan pleaded guilty to being drunk and incapable in a public place.

Magistrates granted him a 12-month conditional discharge, but ordered that he pay £85 towards court costs.