Dad thrown in cell for calling a judge ‘mate’
A CHEEKY defendant was sent to a court’s cells – for calling a judge “mate”.
Rude Sebastian Stroud, 35, upset a district judge who asked him how he planned to pay outstanding fines going back five years.
But the father-of-four muttered: “I’m not working, mate.”
Judge Simon Cooper retorted: “I am not your mate. I am not going to be spoken to like that.”
Stroud was warned he was close to being in contempt of court and a dock officer was called to escort him to the cells at Swindon magistrates court. He was held there for several hours for showing disrespect before he was released later that day.
Stroud was in court to admit a racially aggravated charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour towards police.
Officers called to a domestic disturbance at his home in Swindon found themselves being filmed by him.
He then became abusive and obstructive towards the police. When he was arrested to get him out of their way, he shouted: “White ******* , You’re white, I’m black, you white ******* .”
Judge Cooper fined Stroud £160 with £35 costs plus £30 to victim services.
The judge was told he had previous convictions for similar matters and unpaid fines.
He warned Stroud he would commit him to crown court to be dealt with unless he made a proper payment to start clearing his debts.