A 24-year-old man from Birmingham was fined after an incident at a Midland Wetherspoons where he pulled a stranger’s chair from underneath him, leaving the man embarrassed and injured. Charles Chikeya was asked to leave the Wetherspoons pub in Brierley Hill on 31 July after being found drinking his own alcohol in the beer garden, which is against the venue’s policy.
Refusing to leave, Chikeya ran into the bar area and knocked a tray from a staff member’s hands. The tray crashed to the floor, breaking plates and glasses. After this, he returned outside and pulled a man’s chair away as he sat down, causing the victim to fall and sustain pain and tenderness to his left cheek.
At Dudley Magistrates' Court on 10 September, Chikeya pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assault by beating. The court heard the victim described the incident as “highly embarrassing and upsetting” and was appreciative of members of the public who came to his aid.
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In his defence, Ian Henery explained that Chikeya was intoxicated after consuming two cans of strong alcohol he had brought with him. The defendant expressed remorse for his actions.
Magistrates fined Chikeya £120 and ordered him to pay £48 in victim surcharge and £85 in court costs. He must also compensate the victim £100 for injury and pay £30 to Wetherspoons for the damaged plates and glasses.