A 31-year-old Drybook man has been fined £80 for obstructing a police officer.
At Cheltenham Magistrates Court, Jake Edwards of Hazel Road, Drybrook, pleaded guilty to resisting a constable in the execution of his duty on 8th May this year.
The incident happened in Drybrook.
Edwards was fined £80 but the court made no order for costs or compensation.
The magistrates said they had considered awarding compensation but did not consider it appropriate in all the circumstances.
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