New York Post

CITY’S STUPOR HEROES

Mascots in court

- By ANTONIO ANTENUCCI and JENSEN WERLEY

These Times Square mascots are starting to feel right at home in Manhattan Criminal Court.

A “SpiderMan” accused of slugging a mom who refused to tip him after he posed for photos with her kids balked yesterday at copping a plea deal over the alleged assault, prompting a joke from the judge.

“The defendant is not leaping into action, no pun intended,” quipped Judge Steven Stat-singer, referring to Philip Williams’ refusal to take angermanag­ement courses to avoid trial.

Williams, 35, had allegedly clocked a 44yearold female tourist in the back of the head in December when she refused to tip him.

Williams claims the woman started the fight by tossing a snowball at him after he demanded a tip.

Williams also faces charges for a pot bust in March, but rejected a plea offer in that case.

Under the terms of the deal, he would have had to do either three days community service or 15 days in jail.

The Williamsbu­rg resi dent left his superhero costume at home yesterday, appearing instead in a black polo shirt and khaki shorts and keeping mum during the proceeding.

His lawyer declined to comment afterward.

Meanwhile, a “Super Mario” — aka Damon Torres — showed up in a courtroom down the hall expecting to begin trial for allegedly groping a 58yearold grandmothe­r in December while in costume.

Torres, 34, said nothing as the judge announced there were no trial courts available and postponed his case until Sept. 9.

His lawyer declined to comment after the hearing.

Both men have been released on their own recognizan­ce.

In addition to Williams and Torres, at least two other pesky characters have been recently busted on various raps.

They include a Cookie Monster who allegedly pushed a 2yearold boy in his stroller after the toddler’s mom wouldn’t give him a tip in April, and an antiSemiti­c Elmo who screamed offensive comments at tourists in September.

 ??  ?? UNMASKED MENMEN: PhiliPhili­p “Spidey”S Williams (left) and Damon “Super Mario” Torres in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday.
UNMASKED MENMEN: PhiliPhili­p “Spidey”S Williams (left) and Damon “Super Mario” Torres in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday.

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