A man in court on a public order offence told Spalding magistrates he was arrested for using two swear words while the shop that refused to sell him alcohol was selling illegal cigarettes.
Spalding magistrates heard Craig Walling (30), of Edinburgh Drive, Spalding, was arrested in Sheep Market on October 23.
Walling told the court he used two swear words but was swearing in front of police rather than at them.
He said: “I accept, yes, I was at fault.”
Walling, who pleaded guilty, was fined £45 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge at Thursday’s hearing.