A PENSIONER who landed himself in hot water after ignoring a no-diving rule at his local swimming pool has appeared in court.

Alan Treece, 64, was ordered to pay £455 costs and given a 12-month conditional discharge, after making a splash at Erith Leisure Centre in July.

Mr Treece, a retired civil servant from Carlton Road, Erith, complained when he was asked to leave the centre for ignoring the new no-diving rule, introduced for health and safety reasons. He was later arrested at his home.

He denied a public order offence but Bromley Magistrates’ Court found him guilty of using abusive and threatening language to a staff member.

Mr Treece, who has used the pool for 20 years, said: "I ignore the diving rule, I’m not denying that. But I’m not the kind of man who swears."

He added: "I’m disgusted and upset with what’s happened. There are paedophiles who get away with less costs to pay than me, and for diving into a swimming pool, I have to find £455. It is a farce."

Mr Treece’s 12-month conditional discharge order means no further action is taken against him unless he commits another offence in the next year.

Erith Leisure Centre declined to comment.