A PENSIONER from Beccles was handcuffed and taken to the cells after shouting abuse at a magistrate hearing a case against him.Ray Vickers, 74, was standing trial at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court when he lost his temper with the chairman of the bench, David Field, and shouted “shut your face”.

A PENSIONER from Beccles was handcuffed and taken to the cells after shouting abuse at a magistrate hearing a case against him.

Ray Vickers, 74, was standing trial at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court when he lost his temper with the chairman of the bench, David Field, and shouted “shut your face”.

Vickers was told he was in contempt of court and security guards were called to take him down to the court's cells. He was brought back about 20 minutes later and apologised to the magistrates before his case continued.

He had denied charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct, but was found guilty by magistrates after a trial yesterday.

Mitzy Bond, prosecuting, said police were called to Vickers' home in Banham Road after reports he had put wheelie bins at either end of a neighbour's van.

PC Nicky Wallace told the court Vickers repeatedly shouted obscenities at her and tried to headbutt her as she tried to calm him down on February 24. She said he also damaged the van belonging to Jamie Jackson after hitting it with one of the bins.

PC Wallace, who was working with a police community support officer, took the decision to arrest Vickers and take him to Lowestoft police station.

“On the entire way to Lowestoft he was very abusive,” said PC Wallace. “On the A146 he started coming forward from the rear seat and encroached on to the driver's seat and because of the danger I turned round and told him to sit back.”

She added that he did not calm down and started throwing himself against the car's doors.

Defending himself, Vickers said his dispute with the neighbouring family dated back 15 years, but he denied hitting the van with the wheelie bin, saying it was too heavy. He also claimed he did not strike out at PC Wallace.

Magistrates fined Vickers £150 for disorderly conduct and gave him a 12-month conditional discharge for criminal damage. He was also ordered to pay costs of £50 and a victim surcharge of £15.

“This is a serious matter. Your behaviour in the car is of particular concern as it could have caused an accident,” said chairman Mr Field.