A university student who was photographed urinating over a war memorial was warned on Wednesday that he could be jailed for the "disgusting act."

Philip Laing , 19 , was charged by police after the picture , which showed him urinating on a poppy wreath following a drinking session in the center of Sheffield , appeared on a national newspaper's website.
"The image of your urinating over the poppy wreath on the war memorial in this city will make most turn away in disgust , shock and sadness , " said District Judge Anthony Browne. "It has undoubtedly distressed and upset many.

The war memorial is a sacred and a special place." Laing , who appeared in the dock wearing a poppy , pleaded guilty to outraging public decency when he appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

Browne adjourned sentencing for reports , saying all options including custody , were open , the Press Association reported. The court heard that Laing , a Sports technology student at Sheffield Hallam University , had drunk a bottle of whisky before attending an organized student drinking session organized by a private company , Carnage UK.