A HOMELESS man was caught urinating on the Bournemouth war memorial, a court heard.

Clive Trowell was arrested when CCTV operators in the town centre spotted him relieving himself at the landmark and he has been fined for his “distasteful” actions.

Trowell, 39, appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates Court and admitted the offence of being drunk and disorderly in the gardens at 9pm on May 27.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said CCTV operators saw Trowell when he “appeared to urinate” on the memorial before walking towards the tennis courts.

She said: “The police found him and asked him if he had been urinating on the war memorial and he said he was.

“He was therefore arrested for being drunk and disorderly.”

But Mark Price, in mitigation, said Trowell was not urinating on the memorial but beside it.

“He says he would not have the disrespect to do it on the war memorial,” Mr Price said.

“But he accepts it is disorderly behaviour to urinate in a public place.”

Trowell also admitted failed bail as he was originally due in court on June 13.

He handed himself in at a police station when he was told he had missed the date.

District Judge Nigel Hodkinson said he was limited in the punishment he could hand out.

He said: “It’s a distasteful offence but the law says the only thing I can do is fine you.”

Trowell was handed a £75 fine for being drunk and disorderly and another £75 for failed bail as well as £25 costs and the £15 victim surcharge.