Nicholas Hazell "provided an object lesson in ruining Christmas Day," Didcot Magistrates were told.

Police saw the drunken teenager climb King Alfred's statue in Market Place, Wantage, where he was warned because of his shouting and swearing. Helen Waite, prosecuting, said he was eventually arrested.

Hazell, 19, of Westfield Way, Wantage, was charged with using threatening and abusive words and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress.

Because of his previous good character, he was bound over in the sum of £250 to keep the peace for 12 months.