On February 3, the Swampscott Police Department arrested a referee in the parking lot of Swampscott High School during a freshman boys basketball game.

Swampscott’s freshman boys basketball team faced Beverly High School on Tuesday, February 3, at 4 p.m. Shortly after the game started, around 4:45 p.m., the Swampscott Police Department was dispatched to the high school parking lot following a report of an individual “displaying signs of a possible medical issue,” according to a police report obtained by The Swampscott Tides.

“When units arrived, they were met by a crowd of people who had attempted to stop (name redacted) from driving away,” the report states. “Upon officers arrival it became apparent that (name redacted) was intoxicated and further findings revealed a number of small bottles of alcohol, some partially consumed, inside of the vehicle.”

Witnesses told the Swampscott Tides that the referee had been asked to leave the game after concerns arose that he was under the influence.

“Officers spoke with a number of witnesses who report (the referee) was exhibiting odd behavior during the game that actually led to (him) being asked to leave while the game was still under way,” the police report states.

The referee was taken into custody and charged with operating under the influence, operating with a suspended license, negligent operation, and an open container violation.

The Lynn Item identified the referee as James Martin Welsh III, of Beverly, who has an arraignment date in Lynn District Court on March 2.

Welsh was previously arrested by the Ipswich Police Department for operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor, resisting arrest and possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle in 2020.

A final score for the freshman boys basketball game on February 3 was not recorded in digital platform Arbiter Live, which tracks high school sports schedules, scores and team rosters, at the time of reporting.