A DRINKER who urinated near to Colchester’s historic Jumbo water tower in full sight of council wardens was hauled before the courts after failing to pay a fine.

Warren Vaughan, 29, was part of a group of people who were loitering and drinking in Balkerne Gardens, Colchester, during the day on April 11.

When a Colchester Council zone warden approached the group alongside other officers, Vaughan got up and proceeded to urinate near the iconic Victorian-era water tower.

This was in breach of a public spaces protection order in force in this area of the town.

Victoria Jempson, prosecuting on behalf of Colchester Council, said: “There is a public spaces protection order in force in this area of Colchester which will last for three years and has been in place since October 2017.

“On the day in question a council zone warden was on patrol and together with other officers went to speak to a group of people consuming alcohol in Balkerne Gardens.

“The defendant was a part of the group and while they were talking he got up, walked over to the water tower and was observed by officers urinating in a public place.

“He was advised he would issued with a fixed penalty notice for the breach of the public spaces protection order.

“He was offered the opportunity to pay but didn’t pay it, hence why the matter is heard here today.”

She said: “A notice for £100 was offered to him on April 12.

“He was sent another letter on May 7, which was another opportunity to pay but again this was not responded to so the matter has come before this court.”

Vaughan, who is unemployed and lives with his mother, admitted failing to comply with a public spaces protection order at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Representing himself, he confessed he “didn’t pay much attention” to the fine.

He said: “There is no excuse for it, I am a drinker a lot of the time and I am cutting my drinking down.

“I can’t really give an explanation.

“I just didn’t get round to it, there was a lot going on and I didn’t pay much attention to it to be honest. I apologise for my behaviour.”

Magistrates ordered Vaughan to pay the original £100 fine plus £150 in prosecution costs. The total will be deducted from his benefits.