A protester who shoved someone’s phone out of their hand as they filmed him demonstrating at the Old Steine has been ordered to pay compensation.
Michael Davies, 64, was taking part in a pro-Palestinian protest opposite pro-Israel demonstrators in May this year.
When a member of the public started filming, he wrongly believed it was someone from the opposing side wanting to cause trouble for him.
Prosecuting at Brighton Magistrates Court today, Amy Fraser said: “As Oliver McMenemy pulled out his phone he was approached by the defendant who accused him of being on the other side of the protest.
“The victim and the defendant had a disagreement and then Davies knocked Mr McMenemy’s phone out of his hand.
“The screen cracked, causing £80 worth of damage.”
Defending, Jenna Dolan said: “There have been ongoing issues between Zionist Israelis and pro Palestinians who usually protest at the Clock Tower.
“On this occasion, it was a bigger protest on the Old Steine.
“The defendant is on the side of the Palestinians and on this occasion they are separated by a line of police officers.
“Mr McMenemy has got off the bus and he started filming because it was interesting.
“At first, he was standing on the side of the road with the pro Zionists, some of whom Davies knows and who have caused issues with him. He thought that McMenemy was one of them.
“McMenemy came out of that side of the road and started filming the pro Palestinians. Davies told him, ‘You are one of them, you should be separated, get over there.’
“He thought he was trying to dox him – to post videos online with the goal of getting him in trouble. He knows of people having employment tribunals because they’re being shown when being protesters and causing trouble.
“He appreciates there’s nothing to back up that assertion.
“He recklessly put his hand up and knocked the phone.
“He was offered a community resolution with the offer to pay £80 to fix the screen. Obviously he’s come to court.
“He genuinely did think this man was part of the other side and trying to get him in trouble.
“However, he has now seen the statement from the other person which says he had just got off the bus.”
She asked the bench to consider just ordering Davies, of Newhaven Street, Brighton, to pay compensation of £80.
Chair of the bench Robert McRowan told Davies: “We live in a world with mobile phones. You have only got to sneeze and someone’s filming it. You have to learn to live with this.
“You have cut off your nose to spite your face by refusing the community resolution.
“We won’t impose a fine, but you will pay £80 for the broken phone screen and as it has come to court, £85 in costs.”
Davies, whose sole income is universal credit, agreed to pay £30 a month.
He’s nearly pensionable age and he’s acting like a child. Coming up with sides and assaulting people, then trying to justify it by claiming moral superiority.
Poncing off benefits too spending more time demonstrating than jobseeking
So easy to do so
Aka Benji
Stop it get some help
Aka Benji
He’s everywhere
Spends his time virtue signalling at protest marches while not contributing a single penny to the state which funds his pointless existence.
You can do this too by following the guidance at: wasteyourlife.com
Demonstrates why banning face masks at protests is a very bad idea, everyone should feel safe to express their legal political opinions without fear.
Demonstrates why banning face masks at protests is a very bad idea, everyone should feel safe to express their legal political opinions.