Nome, Alaska. In dramatic scenes here today, Father Christmas (otherwise known as Santa Claus) has been detained by Police on suspicion of being extremely inebriated while pursuing his annual delivery of Christmas presents to eager children all over the globe.
Local authorities were surprised by the appearance of a large sleigh carrying a huge white bearded individual in a red suit and a posse of reindeer leading the way. When the sleigh was pulled over, Police asked the effusive traveller if he would agree to a sobriety test. Father Christmas agreed and he was asked to walk in a straight line for them. After completion of that exercise, Police on the scene mutually agreed that the erstwhile bringer of joy and happiness had himself indulged in a lot of cheer: alcoholic cheer.
Father Christmas was then taken back to the station in Nome and a cavity test conducted to see if any illicit drugs were being unlawfully shipped within the state. Police refused to allow Santa to continue his gift dropping and he was handcuffed before being placed in a holding cell.
As for his reindeer, they were incarcerated in the local zoo and given some fresh hay to feed on.
Everyone has been shocked by the news and some people have resorted to hunger striking in order to pressure the Nome authorities to release the Christmas icon.
