A 20-YEAR-OLD man urinated in the grounds of Blackburn Cathedral after he had been spoken to by a police officer about his drunken behaviour.

Blackburn magistrates heard Alain Njike was in full view of customers at the El Greco cafe when he dropped his trousers at around 2pm on a Monday afternoon.

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And the chairman of the magistrates told Njike his behaviour had been disrespectful to everyone who considered the Cathedral to be a holy and sacred place.

“It is consecrated ground and as such your behaviour should have been exemplary but instead it was disgraceful,” he added.

Njike, of Hamer Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to engaging in indecent behaviour in a church yard or burial ground, an offence under the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act of 1860. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £150 criminal court charge and £20 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said a special constable approached Njike after people raised concerns about his behaviour in the Cathedral grounds. “He was clearly intoxicated, his pants were falling down and he could barely stand,” said Miss Allan. “Another officer arrived and spoke to the defendant and gave him some advice. As he walked away he stopped, dropped his pants and started urinating.

“He was in full view of customers in the El Greco and the officer was appalled,” said Miss Allan.

Waseem Chaudry, defending, said his client accepted that people would have found his behaviour disturbing. “He is deeply ashamed and full of remorse,” said Mr Chaudry.