Man spits in rival's face in pub row over phone

Magistrates express disgust

A MAN spat full in the face of a former friend following a disagreement over a mobile phone.

Newbury magistrates expressed shock and disgust at the behaviour of 43-year-old Peter Alan Mobey.

Helen Waite, prosecuting on Thursday last week, said his victim, Martin Doyle, had bought a mobile telephone from Mr Mobey’s wife.

She said: “It was supposed to be a Christmas present for his wife, who is Thai. However, there was a fault with the phone and Mr Doyle tried to return it and get his money back.

“It was eventually sorted out but left some ill-feeling between the parties. One day the aggrieved was playing pool with friends when the defendant came in to the Red House pub, went straight up to Mr Doyle and spat in his face.”

Mr Mobey, of Gaywood Drive, Newbury, admitted assaulting Mr Doyle in the Red House pub in Hampton Road, Newbury, on February 7.

His has previous convictions from many years ago and a more recent caution for common assault in 2014, magistrates were told.

Phil Kouvaritakis, defending, said his client’s wife works for a phone company and had sold the mobile to Mr Doyle “as a favour”.

When Mr Doyle discovered it had no Thai language facility he began making calls to Mr Mobey and his wife that were so persistent, they “verged on harassment”, said Mr Kouvaritakis.

He added: “Mr Doyle wanted his money and he wanted it right away. Mrs Mobey gave him a refund but they felt threatened by Mr Doyle. Clearly he should have known better but he did spit on Mr Doyle.”

Presiding magistrate Elizabeth Harrison expressed the bench’s disgust at the actions of Mr Mobey, an electrician.

He was fined £170 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £20 victim surcharge. In addition Mr Mobey was ordered to pay Mr Doyle £75 compensation for the spitting assault.