A drunk man took his shirt off in an Aldi store and cuddled a police officer during his arrest, a court heard.

Tamer Maclean, 28, from Folkestone, turned up at the supermarket in Hythe before it was open and tried to force open the front doors, abusing staff when they told him to go away.

Maclean, of Wood Avenue, was later charged with being drunk and disorderly and admitted the offence when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The incident at the Dymchurch Road shop happened on Thursday, July 27, before 8am.

Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: “The Aldi store was closed and he was under the influence of alcohol and tried to force the front doors but then became abusive to staff.

“He gained entry after the store opened and removed his shirt and was drunk in the shop. Staff called police and then he became over-friendly and cuddled one officer, and asked another for a cuddle.”

The court also heard Maclean had recently suffered a family bereavement and was abusing alcohol as a result.

Defending himself, Maclean said he couldn’t remember the episode in Aldi, and he was sorry.

He said: “I lost my mum and I have been drinking a bit. Whatever you tell me, I can’t say I didn’t do it… can’t remember. I am sorry.”

Maclean told the bench he was now drinking half of what he used to and that he thought his drinking was now under control.

The court heard he had last offended in 2021 and in September 2019 was fined for another drunk and disorderly offence.

Magistrates placed Maclean on a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered he pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £26.