A RYDE man whose drunken berating of police saw seven officers committed to arresting him has been fined for his behaviour.

Taylor Bates, of Wellington Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place, on July 4.

Prosecutor, Liz Miller, told the court police had been driving along High Street, Ryde, at around 12.30am.

She said they were in a marked police vehicle, and Bates had shouted abuse and made a gun sign with his fingers from the side of the road.

Ms Miller said Bates was among a group outside The Crown. She said police stopped and spoke to him, and requested he leave the area.

Bates refused to leave and became obstructive, and was later arrested after continuing to hurl abuse.

She said several police officers became involved in arresting him.

Bates, representing himself, said he couldn't remember much, but confessed he was being an 'idiot'.

He said officers were trying to arrest his friend over a gas cannister, and he was trying to tell them the item was legal.

Bates told the bench seven officers were not needed to arrest him, because he had been fully compliant at that time, and said one slammed him to the floor.

Magistrates told Bates he tied up a disproportionate amount of police resources, and his behaviour would cost him a lot of money.

Bates was fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £34 surcharge.