_{"Ipso facto, I rest my case >hic<"}     

Magistrates have commended a defendant who represented himself for being "as good as any solicitor" when he faced charges of being drunk and disorderly.

Dexter Ferguson had some experience of legal cases, having faced over 67 previous convictions from 130 offences over the years, including once telling cops to eat poo and die. 

On this occasion, the prosecution said that Ferguson "stuck a finger up" at police officers as they passed in their patrol van. When the officers told him to stop, Ferguson was "unsteady on his feet, appeared intoxicated and was slurring his words", alleged the prosecution.

Ferguson, who represented himself, told the court the police had grabbed his mobile phone and damaged its screen. 

He admitted the offence of being drunk and disorderly, but asked the magistrates to consider a conditional discharge. 

"I was locked up for nine hours", he said. "A friend who was with me was de-arrested." He also denied the prosecution's version of events, pointing out "it was a police car, not a van", and denying that he gave officers the finger. 

Impressed magistrates told Ferguson, “You’ve made a compelling case, as good as any solicitor in here".

In line with his request, they sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge, which means he won't face any other sanction, as long as he doesn't commit a crime for a year). He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £26, it was reported. 

Ferguson demonstrated that his advocacy before the court was more convincing than some solicitors who take a stab at representing themselves.