VOTE: Worthing councillor in court on drunk charge

Independent Tory councillor Mark McCarthy, 36, currently of Chiltern Street, London, admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly when he appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Catherine Green, prosecuting, told the court McCarthy had been spotted staggering out of the Red Lion pub, in Arundel, at around 6.30pm on September 11.

He shouted abuse at the watching community support officers, who described his voice as slurred and noticed him struggling to remain upright.

Miss Green said the officers managed to speak to McCarthy, after which he agreed to return home. He then tried to enter The Swan pub, where bar staff had earlier refused to serve him.

Miss Green said officers watched McCarthy fall against the wall of the pub and continue to shout abuse. Staff at the pub returned money to McCarthy with which he attempted to buy drink, but he threw the cash across the road.

Miss Green said McCarthy then threw his mobile phone towards the officers, causing one of them to duck out of the way.

She added that McCarthy did have previous matters on his record, including a caution for a public order offence.

Anthony Bishop, defending, said McCarthy apologised unreservedly for his behaviour and described his recollection of the events as "a bit of a blur".

Mr Bishop said at the time McCarthy had been taking painkilling drugs to help him cope with a fractured spine.

He said the drugs were not eliminating the discomfort and McCarthy had started drinking to try to ease the pain.

Magistrate Janet Clark gave McCarthy a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay 70 costs.

Council leader Keith Mercer later said the behaviour in Arundel was "quite a serious matter", adding that the council's legal officer, Bill Johnson, and the chairman of the standards committee, Jane Sturzaker-Evans, would decide what action to take.

Mr Johnson said: "Maintaining the good behaviour of councillors is important to the council. It has adopted a code of conduct for councillors and their behaviour is scrutinised by the council in conjunction with the National Standards Board.

"This particular incident had no connection with the work of the council. It is limited by the terms of national legislation. Until that legislation is amended, such behaviour would not amount to a breach of the code of conduct.

"The council has offered advice to councillor McCarthy. It wishes to avoid a recurrence of such events."

*DO you think Mark McCarthy should be allowed to serve as a councillor in light of his latest court appearance?

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