New dad lands himself in court docket after his first ‘baby-free night time’ ends in horror

A new father found himself in the dock for criminal damage after a taxi fare dispute on his first ‘baby-free evening’, a court was told.

James Thomas ‘got a bit carried away’ at a Christmas do at the NEC in Birmingham as he and his partner had arranged childcare for their 10-month-old on December 21.

The 30-year-old, from Swansea, became irate when asked to settle the taxi fare from the venue to their hotel, the Crown Plaza. Refusing to pay up, he instead smashed the side window of the cab. Thomas admitted criminal damage at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (July 21). He was fined and ordered to pay the court £694 as magistrates labelled him a “silly billy.”

The victim, who will receive £200 compensation, suffered lost earnings as his damaged taxi was off the road during a hectic period of the year, reports Birmingham Live.

Prosecuting, Ms Begum said: “Police attended following reports from the victim, a taxi driver, having transported the defendant and his girlfriend to the Crown Plaza from the NEC where they had been attending a Christmas party.

“The driver had asked for payment from the defendant, who became angry. Officers attended the scene and spoke to the victim and to the defendant at the hotel room. The defendant’s girlfriend paid the outstanding fare.

“The defendant offered to make payment for the damaged car. The defendant had believed their employer would pay for the taxi and he became upset when they realised it was not the case.”

Thomas has 20 convictions for 37 offences, two of which were similar.

Representing himself in court, Thomas told the Magistrates: “I hadn’t drunk for a long time. We have a 10-month-old and I didn’t drink through the pregnancy, this was the first time we had a babysitter – a baby free night.

“I got a bit carried away, and got a bit drunk. That’s what happened. We had a Christmas party, so I thought I would have a drink and yeah, it was a bad choice.”

Upon sentencing, the chair of the magistrates, told him: “Obviously it’s not for me to tell you that you were a silly billy that night. You have probably dreamt it over since then.

“You don’t have the most wonderful previous record which doesn’t help.”

He was fined £292, ordered to pay a £117 victim surcharge and £200 compensation, along with £85 prosecution costs.

The chair of the magistrates told the couple: “We don’t want to see you again, and you don’t want to see us again. You can disappear back to Swansea now.”

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