York City Knights chairman John Guildford fined for drunk and disorderly behaviour in restaurant

John Guildford was also ordered by York Magistrates to pay £85 prosecution costs and a statutory £30 surcharge after he appeared before them and pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly.

The court was told that police officers were called when Guildford, 53, of Chessingham Gardens in Acomb, and his companion were abusive and refused to leave Akbars restaurant in George Hudson Street at 11.05pm on February 16.

Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting, told the magistrates that when police asked him to leave, Guildford swore at the officer.

He was slurring his words and clearly drunk, she said.

He was arrested and kept in a cell until he was sober enough to be charged the next morning.

Guildford told magistrates: “I don’t particularly know what happened.

"I had had something to drink.”

Guildford did not respond to attempts by The Press to contact him for a comment.

A member of staff at York City Knights Rugby League Football Club told a reporter that Guildford was away there was no-one else available for comment.