Southsea man 'gassed' by police as drinking session with best mate turns sour

William Forster, 22, flew into a blind rage with his sailor friend after the pair started drinking early in the afternoon on January 4, Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor Graham Heath said a top window worth £66 at a Highland Road home was smashed after the altercation. ‘The defendant kicked the front door and threatened to smash a window - before he did,’ the solicitor said.

After police were called, Forster, of previous good character, unleashed a volley of racially-motivated abuse at an officer after resisting arrest. ‘He called him a mongrel,’ Mr Heath said.

Adrian Dodd, defending, played down the incident.

He said: ‘The chap is one of his best friends who had just come back after being away with the navy.

‘They started drinking at 1pm and had a squabble. It all went horribly wrong.

‘He was gassed by the police and then became racially abusive.’

Forster, of Hatfield Road, Southsea, admitted criminal damage, resisting arrest and racially aggravated harassment.

District judge Anthony Callaway told Forster: ‘This is an expensive day for you.’

The defendant was then fined £600 and told to pay compensation of £66.