A man has been jailed for hosting a street party during the coronavirus lockdown which could have spread the killer bug.
Dad-of-two Stefan Balaci was found by police swigging cider and waving a metal pole around when they were called to reports of a mass disturbance in Scunthorpe.
Humberside Police had to break up a large group of 15-20 people who were drinking and arguing when the raucous house party spilled into the street, Grimsby Live reports.
Grimsby Magistrates' Court heard 42-year-old Balaci told police he knew nothing about staying indoors even though people were "nervously sitting in their homes complying with the Government's directions".
However he admitted breaching coronavirus lockdown laws with a requirement not to be in a group of more than two in public by attending a party and not being at home.
The former bacon factory worker also admitted possessing a metal pole as an offensive weapon on April 12 and being drunk and disorderly.
Martin Howarth, prosecuting, told the court that a man was at home watching TV at 8.30pm when he heard the sound of smashing glass outside his home near the party.
"He went outside and saw 15 to 20 people arguing with each other," said Mr Howarth.
The court heard Balaci was carrying a black and silver metal bar that had a strap on it, making it look like a police baton, and he was swinging it about and hitting dustbins.
He was arrested and the metal bar was confiscated before he claimed he was unaware that social gatherings being banned.
Mr Howarth said: "He accepted that he caused people to be at risk because of close contact with people.
"He had little recollection because he had been drinking lots. He had been drinking wine and whisky."
The metal bar was not his and he claimed that he had no idea where it came from.
Balaci, a Romanian national, had a female interpreter who wore a face mask throughout the court proceedings.
He also admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence imposed by Yeovil Magistrates' Court in November 2018.
Offences of failing to provide a breath specimen, driving while banned and having no insurance had been proved at the same court in his absence.
Chris Dickins, mitigating, said that police spotted Balaci with a half-empty bottle of cider. He was swinging it and not making any attempt to conceal it.
Six other people were nearby at the time and children were all looking worried.
"He can't recall anything about the incident," said Mr Dickins.
"Drink seems to be at the root of all his problems."
Balaci, who lost his job at a bacon factory in Scunthorpe and later had to move to Birmingham to work, was jailed for a total of 36 weeks and was banned from driving for five years.
District judge Daniel Curtis told Balaci: "At a time when this country is locked down and at a time when people are nervously sitting in their homes complying with the Government's directions, you find yourself in drink as part of a large group causing a disturbance on the streets of Scunthorpe."
