A tiler turned up at Cardiff Airport for a flight only to realise he did not have his passport — then got drunk and attacked airport vending machines.
Police were called to the airport's main entrance shortly after 12am on June 14 following reports of Chris Holyfield causing a disturbance and hitting the machines. Prosecutor Simone Walsh told Cardiff Magistrates' Court: "Officers had already been called to an incident involving the defendant half an hour earlier due to similar issues of him refusing to get off a bus.
"When they returned the defendant was sitting on a seat inside the airport. He was clearly intoxicated, slurring his words and unable to sit up straight. Staff confirmed there was no damage to the vending machines but Mr Holyfield had sustained a small cut to his left hand as a result of his actions. He refused to engage with officers and kept raising his voice and swearing despite being told to stop in a public place. This resulted in his arrest." You can get more courts news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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The 41-year-old, of Common Road in Gilwern, Brecon Beacons, attended the court on Thursday and admitted drunk and disorderly behaviour. Asked if there was anything he wanted the magistrates to take into consideration, the self-represented Holyfield said there was not. After a pause he added: "Just I am sorry for my actions."
Presiding Justice Nigel Buckland suggested to Holyfield that he had been drinking too much in the build-up to his offence. The defendant revealed he had been unable to catch his flight that day. "I lost my passport I did," he said.
He told magistrates he was a self-employed tiler whose weekly earnings could range from £1,000 to nothing. Asked for an average, he said it would "typically" be £700 a week before tax.
Passing sentence, Mr Buckland said: "This was a very unpleasant event in Cardiff Airport, a prolonged event. Police were called out earlier and you failed to heed their warning. You continued with your behaviour and failed to engage with them. The police tried to deal with you in a reasonable way and you failed to take advantage of that."
The magistrates imposed a £333 fine, prosecution costs of £85 and a victim services surcharge of £34. Asked how he could pay, Holyfield suggested "monthly". Mr Buckland asked if he could pay the full amount within 28 days, to which the defendant said: "Yeah OK." You can read more court stories here.
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