DNA used to snare spitting motorist

Friday January 27, 2012

A motorist who spat twice on a west London traffic warden has been found guilty of common assault after DNA from his own saliva was used to convict him.

The case, on January 9, is believed to be the first in London where an assailant’s own spittle has been successfully used as evidence to secure a conviction for attacking a traffic warden.

Paul Royes, 46, of Coningham Road, Shepherds Bush, was fined £250, and ordered to pay damages of £75 in compensation to his victim, a civil enforcement officer (CEO) who has worked for Hammersmith & Fulham Council (H&F Council) for 15 years.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £350 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard that Royes had parked illegally in Coningham Road on June 6, last year, and had gone into his house, when his friend saw an officer putting a fixed penalty notice on the windscreen of Royes’ van. Royes’ friend then went into the house to tell him he had been given a ticket.

An angry Royes came marching out of the house, shouting and swearing at the CEO, before spitting on him twice. It was then that the quick-thinking CEO collected the saliva from his jacket, tie and trousers, which was then used as evidence in court.

Cllr Greg Smith, H&F cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “No one deserves to be spat at for doing their job and this council takes a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who abuses our staff. This was shameful and vile behaviour from Royes.

“Residents who play by the rules expect those rules to be enforced and it is completely unacceptable to spit at a traffic warden just because you have been caught red-handed.”