A PUNTER who threw a glass jug of water at a Chester betting shop TV screen when told he could not place a bet on an imminent race has been handed a community order.

Richard Charles Ashman, 32, of Heol Hyfryd, Gwersyllt, Wrexham, had pleaded guilty at an earlier Chester Magistrates Court hearing to causing £190.80 of criminal damage and acknowledging he had breached a conditional discharge which was imposed for a separate act of criminal damage.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds said it was about 8pm on April 2 when Ashman went to place a bet at the Betfred store on Watergate Street, just as a race being shown on the TV was about to start.

There had been a prior incident a few days before when Ashman had not paid for one of his bets, and the bookmakers took the decision not to accept any more of his bets.

The staff member refused to accept Ashman's bet and he responded by shouting abuse at her, calling her a 'sket' and a 'slag'.

Ashman threw a pot of pens on the floor, threw water at the staff member and then threatened to "rip off the TV", before throwing a glass jug of water at it, causing the £190.80 24" LCD Samsung TV to break.

The staff member said she had known Ashman for about five months, and there had never been any problems before.

Ashman had 24 previous convictions for 72 offences, the most recent in March 2019 when he received a conditional discharge for criminal damage – kicking at a door of a property of a former partner – which he had breached. Previously, he had received a five-year and three-month jail term for conspiracy to burgle.

Ashman, representing himself, said: "I have worked very, very hard to change my life around. With the staff member there were personal issues going on and it's a silly mistake.

"It was just frustration, I have had two little blips recently and I would like to apologise. I am not this person the record says I am. It's a moment of madness under pressure.

"I will not do this again."

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order where Ashman must complete up to 35 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, and must complete 100 hours unpaid work.

He must pay £190.80 compensation to Betfred Watergate street Chester, plus £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.