Jonas Armstrong allegedly threw punch at driver

Jonas Armstrong tried to punch a taxi driver before swearing at police officers, a court has heard.

The 29-year-old, who has starred in TV shows Robin Hood and Teachers, spat at a taxi door and called the officers 'f****** w*****s' before being 'forcibly' arrested.

Armstrong spoke only to confirm his guilty plea to being drunk and disorderly when he appeared at Blackpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, told the court that the Irish-born star was involved in a violent drunken incident near his mother's house in St Annes, Blackpool, at around 2.55am on April 26.

"Police were called to a report by a taxi driver having difficulties with a passenger," Ms Smith said.

"On arrival the defendant was being verbally abusive in the street, he was clearly drunk. He had spat on the rear passenger door of the taxi and refused to pay his fare. The driver explained he had also thrown a punch at him when challenged about his behaviour. Fortunately the punch missed.

"He had to be taken forcibly to a police cell."

Michael Woosnam, mitigating for Armstrong, said the defendant denied either trying to throw a punch or spitting at the taxi.

Mr Woosnam said his client had been drinking at a family Christening and a party and it was only after he got a taxi back to his mother's house that he realised he had lost his jacket. He had no money or keys to get into his mother's house, but the taxi driver was not happy about this and an argument broke out, Mr Woosnam said.

Armstrong left court without comment.