A MAN who argued with police after he was thrown out of a city centre pub was arrested with a bag of cocaine in his pocket.

Lewis McIver admitted he argued and was abusive towards security staff and police officers after he was ejected from the Slug and Lettuce in The Cross in the early hours of Easter Sunday (April 1).

After taking his top off and attempting to get back into the pub, police issued the 21-year-old with a section 35 dispersal notice - powers officers can use to compel people to leave an area.

McIver continued to be warned by PC Shenton about his abusive language as he again attempted to get back into the Slug and Lettuce, a court heard.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said: “Officers had no choice but to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly.”

A number of officers eventually dragged him to the floor and onto his chest so he could be handcuffed from behind.

McIver continued to be abusive as officers struggled to get him into the police van.

When he was searched at the police station, a small bag of cocaine and one Diazepam tablet was found in his pocket.

He admitted the cocaine was his and had been bought from a man in the Slug and Lettuce.

Jason Patel, defending, said: “From the outset he was clearly ashamed of his actions and he was very apologetic. By the time he had got to the police station he had calmed down.

“Mr McIver is not somebody who is out every week. He was celebrating a friend’s birthday and was frustrated at being kicked out because he was expecting the evening to go on to four or five in the morning.

“The cocaine was a small amount for personal use.”

Mr Patel added McIver was often singled out by other men because he was 6ft 8in.

McIver said he felt drunk very quickly and could not remember much.

He was sentenced to an 18 month conditional discharge for possession of cocaine, resisting arrest and using threatening behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress. He was ordered to pay £185 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.