Craig Watson faces court for swearing at Portland police

A Portland magistrate has told a man he will spend “more time in the cells” if his drunken behaviour doesn’t change.

A “deeply embarrassed” Portland man told police the law was “f---ed up” and urinated in a cell once brought to the local station.

Craig Watson appeared at Portland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to being drunk in a public space, refusing to state his name and address, and using offensive language to police.

The court heard Watson was approached by officers in Portland on May 15, 2022, who found him drunk and slurring his words.

Watson argued with several people and was told by police to calm down.

He failed to comply when asked his name and address.

He told officers “by law I don’t have to” and said the law was “unfair” and “f---ed up”, the court heard.

Police warned Watson several times that his refusal to comply constituted an offence.

Craig Watson appeared at the Portland Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

He was arrested later that day and brought to Portland Police Station where he urinated on blankets in his cell.

Watson was said to have had no recollection of the situation and was embarrassed by his behaviour.

Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said plenty of people drank and that Watson’s being “terribly sorry” was no excuse.

Watson was convicted, placed on a good behaviour bond, and fined $500.

He was additionally charged $200 to pay Victoria Police for the urine mess in the cell.

Magistrate Lethbridge warned Watson that if he were caught again in a similar state, he would spend “more time in the cells rather than a couple of hours to sober up”.