A FATHER-of-two who tried to stop police arresting a sleeping man ended up being detained himself, a court heard.

Wayne Reid, 24, was said to have pushed an officer in the chest causing him to step back, in the trouble on February 16.

Reid announced to the police: “I am not letting you past. The only way you will get to him is you will arrest me.” So they did, the court heard.

The hearing was told officers had turned up at a house on Chapelhouse Road, Nelson, with a warrant to arrest the man who was asleep. Reid heard the information on the officer’s radio and said: “There’s no way you are arresting him.”

Reid, of Chapelhouse Road, admitted resisting police. He was fined £70, with a £20 victim surcharge.

Sara Lyle, defending, said Reid denied pushing the officer. The defendant, who had just been laid off work and was on benefits, was the father of two very young children and was ‘foolish in drink’.