A JOBLESS Isle of Wight man found guilty after failing to attend his own trial for struggling to break free from police officers at a McDonald's restaurant, was hauled into court under an arrest warrant — and hit hard in the pocket.   

Sean Buckland, of High Street, Ryde, denied resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty, and using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress, on February 18.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on June 6.

Police were called to a report of a drunken man causing problems at the McDonald's restaurant in Brading Road, Ryde.

Buckland, 30, was so drunk he struggled to stand up and had been rude and disorderly towards staff, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

During his arrest, Buckland failed to comply and had to be restrained. He tried to struggle free from officers and was arrested again for resisting arrest.

The incident was caught on CCTV.

At his trial, the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the public order offence, but magistrates found the case against him for resisting arrest proved in his absence on Thursday.

For Buckland, Oscar Vincent said his client was a "highly vulnerable individual" with anxiety issues and could understand how they were exacerbated by him being taken to the ground by officers.

Regarding his absence from the trial, Mr Vincent explained his client knew the trial date, had arranged transport to the courts with his parents, the offer fell through and he turned up too late.

"It was not a deliberate attempt to interfere with the justice system — which it didn't," said Mr Vincent.

Ms Miller countered by saying "he did not look vulnerable in the CCTV footage" and that he admitted to officers he was "sh**-faced".

Buckland then added: "I looked pretty vulnerable to me."

He also admitted to a charge of failing to appear in court for his trial.

Magistrates fined Buckland £200, with £300 costs and an £80 surcharge.