A 19-year-old man with a number of convictions for being drunk and disorderly when he was a youth has been told he can’t handle drink and to “grow up”.

Lee Francis, of Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, was fined £500 when he appeared at Fermanagh Court and admitted being disorderly.

A prosecutor explained that at 2am on Thursday, April 24, police on duty at Townhall Street in Enniskillen saw Francis being restrained by a friend. He was shouting and cursing and pushing his friend away. The officers warned him about his behaviour and he told them to: “F--k off.” The prosecutor said Francis told the police he was doing nothing wrong. They told him to go home but he walked into the middle of the road and the traffic had to try and get past him. He then ran off, shouting and cheering loudly. He was warned to go home but ran past the police, shouting and cheering.

Defence solicitor Gary Smyth said that while Francis’ behaviour was initially unacceptable he apologised later that night.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay told the court: “This man can’t deal with drink.” He pointed out that Francis was before the Youth Court on a number of occasions for exactly the same behaviour of being drunk and disorderly.

“This will have to stop,” he said. “If he can’t handle a large amount of alcohol then he will just have to stop that and change his ways.” However, the Deputy District Judge said Francis was entitled to a great deal of credit for admitting his guilt and for the way he appears to be progressing in his career.

“You are not a youth any more,” he told Francis. “You need to grow up. You need to learn how to behave, in and out of drink.”