by Joe Walker

A man was fined £50 after blasting Seal’s greatest hits from his car just minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Jolan Malhas, 40, found himself in a spot of bother after neighbours complained to police about the soul singer’s loud warbling.

Officers were called to Neville Way, Reculver and found jobless Malhas sitting in his car with the stereo blaring.

Prosecuting, Jim Harvey said Malhas was “extremely abusive” to police and arrested.

He was charged with being drunk and disorderly and appeared in the dock at Canterbury magistrates.

Representing himself, he denied the charge, saying: “Personally, I don’t feel I should be standing here.

“I was sitting in my car listening to Seal’s greatest hits, which I was given for Christmas.

“I was in my allocated parking spot and had only gone to the car because I didn’t want to disturb any of my neighbours. I just wanted to listen to some music.

“I was genuinely shocked when the police turned up.”

After listening to his account, the prosecution offered Malhas the alternative charge of a Section 5 Public Order offence – given for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Deliberating the offer, Malhas said: “We did raise voices and had a bit of an argument, but I didn’t swear at them.

“I don’t want this to go to trial because it would be a waste of public money.

“I’ll take the Section 5 thing - that’s my final answer.”

Malhas was subject to a conditional discharge for a previous conviction but magistrates chose not to activate it.

Instead they fined him £50 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs.