FACED with a taxi fare of £10 a man attacked the driver’s car, and then missed two chances to pay for the damage before being brought before the courts and ordered to pay.

Matthew Iles, of Endeavour Road, pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage dating from October 24 of last year when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.

Crown prosecutor Pauline Lambert told the court that 24-year-old Iles had been collected by a taxi from Fleming Way and taken to his home address.

“He said that when he got there he didn’t have any money so he went into the house to get some,” said Ms Lambert.

“He comes back out and starts hitting the taxi causing small dents to the bonnet and damaging the trim on the wing mirror. He says he felt threatened by the driver.

“He fully admitted the damage in interview with police and said he would pay for it.

“On November 13 he was issued with a conditional caution where he agreed to pay within 90 days. But he failed to pay. He says he didn’t receive the letter.

"He received a second conditional caution, but again failed to pay. The police gave him 17 days grace, but still no payment."

Representing himself in court, Iles told the magistrates: “I drank too much that night and got a bit angry."

Hearing that he was previously of good character, chairman of the bench Simon Wolfensohn imposed a compensation order of £278 to the taxi driver for the cost of the damage, along with the original taxi fare and the time lost in the aftermath of the incident. Iles must also pay Crown Prosecution Service costs of £85.