A DRIVER was arrested and charged after leaving his engine running in a car park.

Kyle Steven Preece, 23, of Stanner, near Kington, admitted obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty when he appeared before magistrates on October 16.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said the offence took place after Preece drove to the Merton Meadow car park in Hereford on the evening of September 27.

The court heard that police regularly patrol the city centre car park following reports of anti-social behaviour there, and had that evening received a number of complaints about a meeting.

When they arrived they found several cars parked in the car park, and the owners were asked to leave.

Preece was one of those who had driven to the car park that evening, and had left his car with the engine running.

But when police asked who the car belonged to, Preece remained silent until they approached it.

PC Prewer tried to give Preece a ticket for leaving his car unattended with the engine running, but he refused to give his details, and resisted arrest when police tried to put him in cuffs.

Preece then refused to get into the police car, the court was told.

Speaking in his own defence, Preece said he accepted those were the facts and that he did not have anything else he wished to say.

He was fined £330, and must pay costs of £135 and a £33 victim surcharge.