A COMPLAINING customer was in court after a “heated debate” over a vacuum cleaner escalated and he damaged the shop owner’s phone.

Lubomir Durik, 36, had attended Sawh Electronics in Cleator Moor on March 30,  to complain about a vacuum cleaner which had been repaired but was still not functioning properly.

Workington Magistrates’ Court heard that a heated debate about the quality of repairs had taken place, which had then escalated.

Durik was speaking to Mr Sawh Snr and Mr Saw Jr had then come through.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant had got his phone out and began recording. He had then grabbed Mr Sawh’s phone and thrown it to the floor.

He later told police he had taken a vacuum cleaner to the business to be repaired and had asked for it to be inspected again.

Durik said he was met by Mr Sawh Snr who he hadn’t seen before. He said it was a misunderstanding as English is not his first language

Ms Fee said: “It seems he didn’t know what Mr Sawh had in his hand. He accepted he had taken the phone and thrown it to the floor.”

Durik, who was unrepresented, said: “I will pay the damage. The thing is, I have had a lot of expenses recently, supporting family during Ukraine.”

Durik, of Main Street, Frizington, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage under £5,000.

Magistrates fined Durik £84 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

He must also pay £75.72 in compensation to Mr Sawh.

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