A man went to punch a friend in a dispute over £10 outside a shop, a court heard.
Tiago Da Costa, 38, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with common assault back in August last year.
Prosecutor Ben Worthington said the defendant, of Groves Street, Rodbourne, was outside the Premier Local with a friend in Cricklade Road at around 6am that morning.
He asked his friend for £10 he felt he was owed for fuel. But an argument ensued and Da Costa went to throw a punch at him.
His friend defended himself before running away – the defendant gave chase on foot whilst his victim phoned the police. Da Costa was soon arrested.
Having been shown CCTV of the incident, he admitted to police he was the person outside the shop at the time of the assault, but then gave a no comment interview in custody.
Representing himself in court, Da Costa said he had not thrown a punch, but gone to take his victim’s beer off him. He had been suffering from depression after a relationship breakdown.
Magistrates fined Da Costa £40 with a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £85.
