Craig Ashton, who is from Llanidloes, Powys, was urged to “keep a lid on his frustrations” after he was ordered to pay £189 compensation to traffic warden Mandy Williams
A foul-mouthed painter and decorator hurled his brush at a parking warden after he was given a ticket.
Craig Ashton launched a furious tirade — and was heard on her body-cam repeatedly swearing — before chucking the brush at Mandy Williams. A court heard Ashton, 42, “consistently used the F-word” at the woman, whose trousers were damaged after she was struck by the implement.
Helen Tench, prosecuting this week, said: “In the video he is heard swearing at her, consistently using the ‘F-word’. He is heard saying ‘F*****g shove that up your f*****g a***hole’.
“He rips the ticket off (the vehicle) and throws it at her. She then goes away and comes back down the street; he throws a paint brush at her then says ‘It slipped’.”
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Ms Williams gave Ashton a £60 ticket on his van when she was patrolling Llanidloes, Powys, where the defendant was working. However, she was assaulted by the painter and decorator after he saw the notice on his work vehicle.
Ashton was initially offered a conditional caution, but he was brought to court because he didn’t comply with that, reports our sister title Wales Online. He admitted common assault and was ordered to pay £189 compensation to the warden. Laurence Monk, chair of the Welshpool magistrates bench, told Ashton: “I would advise you to keep a lid on your frustrations in future.”
Speaking during the case, Ashton, who is from Llanidloes, said: “I am totally aware of the parking laws, but it’s been such a common practice to have a warning off the others (traffic wardens).
“I cannot defend throwing the brush at her, I know it’s wrong. My problem was, that week, there was a different traffic warden the day before and the day after. One tapped me the day before and said I had 18 minutes left. The day after this another man went into five different shops and cafes, looking for car owners.
“I know it’s not their job, but when we live in a small community, it’s what we expect. I felt a little bit of a victim myself. She was hiding behind my van, she knew I was working there. I felt a little bit hard done by.”
The paint brush struck Ms Williams’ leg, but she did not suffer any injuries. In a victim impact statement read out in court by Mrs Tench, Ms Williams said: “I’ve found I now can’t comfortably go to Llanidloes for work, I feel like I can’t look over my shoulder. I can’t do the job I love properly and am contemplating looking for other jobs.”
