New Cross TV vandal ordered to pay up
A man who smashed a hospital TV after a row with his partner has been ordered to pay a £200 fine.
James Hughes, of Fancourt Avenue, Penn, had been with his girlfriend and their child at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton on March 28 when an argument broke out.
Hughes lashed out at a pay per view television set in anger, causing an estimated £100 worth of damage.
He pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on Friday.
Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, said: "The defendant has been with his partner in the paediatric unit of the hospital while their young child was there.
"An argument between the couple broke out and the defendant lashed out, punching one of the pay per view monitors, cracking the screen.
"The hospital still don't know how much damage was caused but they estimate it to be around £100 worth of damage, money which they say could be better spent on helping patients."
Defence solicitor Mrs Debbie Starrs told the court that Hughes, aged 31, had been out of trouble for a number of years.
Chief magistrate Dennis Davies said: "I take a dim view of what you have achieved with your actions, particularly because you were no doubt at the hospital in the best interests of someone else."
