James Tomkins has been fined a total of £7,605 including costs for assaulting a police officer today in court.
Tomkins changed his plea to guilty on charges he assaulted a police constable, was drunk and disorderly in a public place and obstructing a constable outside the Sugar Hut nightclub on the night of December 22nd after a 3-1 loss against Manchester United.
the Chair of the bench at Southend Magistrates’ Court, Essex, Martin Everett, told Tomkins “it is a late guilty plea but it has saved the court a trial and witnesses”.
Tomkins was fined £3,500 for the assault and was ordered to pay £3,785 court costs, £200 compensation to the police officer and a £120 victim surcharge.
Mr Everett told Tomkins “this is a blot on your character”.He also said he had “no doubt” that West Ham “will take their own action” to punish him.
Mr Everett told Tomkins: “You were in this particular case, pushed quite hard by a member of staff but your reaction, as you have admitted, was an over-reaction.”
He told the defender that in the police car he had dealt with the situation “inappropriately causing an injury to the police officer”.
Rupert Bowers, defending, had told the court that as a footballer he gets “a lot a attention, much of it unwanted”.
He said:“They receive training and receive guidance from the FA (Football Association). Mr Tomkins accepts that on this occasion he let himself down.He will no doubt also be disciplined by his club by way of a financial penalty.He has been extremely stressed about these proceedings, about his reputation and the coverage it has had.”
His lawyer also described him as a “young man of previous good character (who is) usually looked up to.”
What do you think the club should do to Tomkins?