Don't talk to 'phantoms in the garden' says judge (From Evesham Journal)

Don't talk to 'phantoms in the garden' says judge

9:31am Friday 3rd July 2009

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A JUDGE told a man with a major alcohol problem to seek help from real people rather than talking to ‘phantoms in the garden’.

District judge Bruce Morgan told Dennis Gubbins to face his alcohol problem and address his odd and ‘distressing’ behaviour when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Gubbins, aged 49, of Orchard Road, Pershore, was arrested on Wednesday and kept in the cells overnight.

He agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months in the sum of £150 after he was abusive to neighbours and was seen talking to himself in the garden of his ex-partner’s home.

Marie Watton, prosecuting, said: “His ex-partner called police officers who went to her property. She was worried about him because he was in her garden, becoming abusive towards her next door neighbours. He seemed to be having conversations with people who weren’t actually present. He was described as being extremely intoxicated to the point where he was unable to stand on his own. He kept saying ‘my mother loves me’ over and over again. He said he couldn’t go home because his mother would be embarrassed.”

He refused to come to the front of the property when police arrived. They took the decision to arrest him to prevent a breach of the police.

Judge Morgan told Gubbins: “What do you want to say about this strange behaviour? Have you thought of getting help rather than talking to phantom individuals in the garden? Other people find this behaviour distressing.”

Gubbins, representing himself, who lost his job in September, said he had been drinking since 4.30am on Wednesday morning and had not yet sought help.

He said: “I have a major drink problem. This is no excuse.”

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