Adrian-Costinel Rotaru, 39, of Francis Road, Ladywood, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Dudley Magistrates' Court on July 30 after throwing a chip-and-pin machine onto the floor at Texaco Garage in Smethwick. The incident occurred on November 15, 2025, at around 9.30am, when Rotaru was asked to pay before filling up, unlike other customers.
Rotaru, who had been a customer at the garage for approximately 16 years, questioned why he was being treated differently. The court heard that a cashier allegedly told him: 'If you don't like it, go back to Romania.' Rotaru then picked up the chip-and-pin machine and 'threw it on the floor', breaking the £200 device before driving away.
Court Hearing and Sentencing
During the hearing, the court was told that Rotaru was of 'previous good character'. A magistrate addressed him, saying: 'It was a silly moment, the best thing is to draw a line under it and carry on.' Rotaru was ordered to pay £200 compensation for the damaged machine and £85 in court costs, totalling £285.
The case was reported by Birmingham Live, which covered the full story of the incident. Rotaru's actions resulted in criminal damage charges, and his guilty plea led to the financial penalties imposed by the court.
Impact and Aftermath
The incident highlights tensions that can arise in customer interactions, with Rotaru's long patronage of the garage not preventing the alleged discriminatory remark. The court's decision to accept his plea and impose compensation reflects the severity of the damage caused to the petrol station's equipment.
Rotaru's case concluded with the payment order, drawing a line under the matter as advised by the magistrate. The £285 total includes both the compensation for the broken machine and the legal costs associated with the proceedings.
