A CARLISLE man has been prosecuted for refusing to let police into a house after concerned neighbours reported an incident which involved a woman screaming.

James John Curr, 40, from as Cumberland Court, Carlisle, admitted obstructing a police officer who was acting course of his duty.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson told District Judge Gerald Chalk, sitting at the city’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court: “On July 11, at 7.30pm, police attended an address in relation to an anonymous call saying there was an incident taking place in respect of a female screaming and being dragged out of the house. Officers arrived and Mr Curr refused to let them in.”

Mrs Jackson said the officers could hear a woman crying inside the house. She said Curr became aggressive and lashed out as the officers.

Curr said: “My girlfriend was there and there was a disturbance.

"She was crying because the police got called. I never let them into my property because she didn’t want them in there. I acted to protect her.” Judge Chalk imposed a £300 fine, with £85 costs, and a £34 surcharge.