This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-28353228
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Former Newcastle United footballer Nile Ranger fined for damaging door | Former Newcastle United footballer Nile Ranger fined for damaging door |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Footballer Nile Ranger has been fined for repeatedly kicking a jammed door at his penthouse flat in Swindon. | Footballer Nile Ranger has been fined for repeatedly kicking a jammed door at his penthouse flat in Swindon. |
CCTV shows the former Newcastle United striker "booting" the communal front door of the apartment block, damaging a lift door, wall and glass panel. | CCTV shows the former Newcastle United striker "booting" the communal front door of the apartment block, damaging a lift door, wall and glass panel. |
Swindon Magistrates' Court heard Ranger, 23, and a young woman he was with at the time, managed to gain access with the third kick. | Swindon Magistrates' Court heard Ranger, 23, and a young woman he was with at the time, managed to gain access with the third kick. |
He pleaded guilty earlier after submitting a written basis of plea. | He pleaded guilty earlier after submitting a written basis of plea. |
Female companion struck | |
Swindon Town terminated Ranger's contract by mutual consent in May. | Swindon Town terminated Ranger's contract by mutual consent in May. |
Ranger, who had been due to go on trial for one charge of causing criminal damage, had previously pleaded not guilty to criminal damage. | Ranger, who had been due to go on trial for one charge of causing criminal damage, had previously pleaded not guilty to criminal damage. |
The CCTV, taken in the early hours of 13 April, also appeared to show Ranger hitting his female companion three times in the face. | |
He was arrested and held on suspicion of assault but never faced any charges. | |
Prosecuting, Nick Barr told the court the footage should not be played to the court in light of Ranger's guilty plea. | |
Mr Barr said a caretaker for the building viewed the footage after noticing the damage and identified Ranger to police. | Mr Barr said a caretaker for the building viewed the footage after noticing the damage and identified Ranger to police. |
Ranger was arrested and in interview, on 28 April, gave a prepared statement claiming the door had jammed on several occasions and he was simply trying to open it. | Ranger was arrested and in interview, on 28 April, gave a prepared statement claiming the door had jammed on several occasions and he was simply trying to open it. |
Representing Ranger, Tom Roberts said the damage was at "the lower end of culpability". | Representing Ranger, Tom Roberts said the damage was at "the lower end of culpability". |
'Comments from public' | 'Comments from public' |
"Mr Ranger is not in a position of the vast majority of defendants before this court," Mr Roberts said. | "Mr Ranger is not in a position of the vast majority of defendants before this court," Mr Roberts said. |
"They enjoy largely in the public gaze anonymity when they leave the courts. That privilege is not afforded to Mr Ranger by virtue of his celebrity." | "They enjoy largely in the public gaze anonymity when they leave the courts. That privilege is not afforded to Mr Ranger by virtue of his celebrity." |
District judge Simon Cooper replied: "Really? I've not heard of him". | District judge Simon Cooper replied: "Really? I've not heard of him". |
Mr Roberts said his client had received coverage in the "tabloid national press" and that CCTV of the incident had been "uploaded onto YouTube". | Mr Roberts said his client had received coverage in the "tabloid national press" and that CCTV of the incident had been "uploaded onto YouTube". |
"There are comments made after that video by members of the general public not known by Mr Ranger. He has to put up with that," Mr Roberts added. | "There are comments made after that video by members of the general public not known by Mr Ranger. He has to put up with that," Mr Roberts added. |
The court heard Ranger had a number of previous convictions, including one for criminal damage for which he was fined at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in May. | The court heard Ranger had a number of previous convictions, including one for criminal damage for which he was fined at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in May. |
He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs of £750. He was also ordered to pay the landlord of the flat £2,435. | He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs of £750. He was also ordered to pay the landlord of the flat £2,435. |
Previous version
1
Next version