A Thornton Heath drunk who spat at a shopkeeper and urinated in the street has been told he needs help with his drinking problem, a court has heard.
Purushothamrajam Poobalasingam attacked Ziaulla Niazi in Niazi and Sons, on Thornton Heath High Street, on New Year's Day, Croydon Magistrates' Court heard on Wednesday March 20th. He was told by a district judge that alcohol "turns him into a terrible person".
The 33-year-old, of Marion Road, was then caught urinating in Talbort Road two weeks later. When he was arrested by cops and in custody, he "smeared blood on the walls" of the police cell.
The court heard the attack on Mr Niazi happened on New Year's Day, and occurred while Poobalasingam was drunk. It was then said that he urinated in Talbort Road on January 15. He reportedly smeared blood on the wall of the police cell at Croydon Custody Suite, on Windmill Road, the following day.
Prosecutor Emily Baxter told the court: "On the first occasion he spat at the shop keeper and on the second occasion he urinated on the street," she said.
"Later he smeared blood on the walls of a police cell."
She added: "He denies being a drinker but admits drinking two to three cans of beer a day."
Poobalasingam, wearing black shoes, black trousers, collared shirt, tie and dark coat, chose to represent himself at the hearing, and was told he "needed help" with his alcohol consumption.
"You need help with your drinking, don't you?", said district judge Alex Jacobs.
"Yes," replied Poobalasingam.
"You look like a decent bloke," Mr Jacobs added. "Stood there in a shirt and tie, but that's not what happened on January 15, January 16 and New Year's Day."
