You twot! Judge brands club flood prankster

A student who caused £150,000 of damage to a nightclub in an "alcohol-fuelled act of buffoonery" was branded a "twot" by a judge today.

Jonathan Stepien, 20, was trying to beat his friend in a pull-up contest using the pipe of a sprinkler system at the Tiger Tiger nightclub in London's Haymarket at about 3am on February 10.

But as the drunk reveller built up momentum the pipe split in half, sending him crashing to the floor and water rushing out, Southwark Crown Court heard.

There were up to 150 people outside when police arrived up to 10 minutes later and water could still be seen and heard pouring down the stairs across three floors of the club.

After hearing that Stepien apologised to police and said he was a "f****** t***" after his arrest, the judge, Recorder Philip Singer QC, said: "One of the words you used to describe yourself was a twot, I would certainly agree with that.

"The consequences of your stupid actions went far beyond what you could have possibly anticipated."

Fining Stepien, of Arbury Road, Cambridge, £365, the judge said that being led away in handcuffs had led to "embarrassment and inconvenience".

The judge went on: "Everyone can perhaps be permitted one stupid episode. I'm sure you will as quickly as possible put this stupid episode behind you. I wish you luck in your future career."

He added: "Excessive drinking is not only extremely damaging to your long-term health but is inevitably going to cause problems for you in the future."

Earlier, Jacques Howell, prosecuting, said: "The act comes as a result of what can best be described as an alcohol-fuelled act of buffoonery.

"The defendant managed to build up some momentum by way of some pendulum motion. As he swung, the pipe gave way, splitting in half, causing the defendant to fall to the floor and water to come rushing out."

Mr Howell said the club had to replace wooden flooring in two bars, a restaurant and a lounge, as well as a ceiling in the cloakroom and the sprinkler pipe work at a total cost of £150,000, which was covered by the club's insurance.

But he said Stepien, who was detained by door staff at the club, immediately told police: "I am so sorry."

Later, the City University student added: "I am an idiot. I am so sorry. I didn't expect it to break. I'm such a f****** t***.

"My mate did two pull-ups, I thought I could do three. I'm really, really sorry."

The court heard Stepien, who pleaded guilty to criminal damage last month, made "full and frank admissions" and also asked officers if there was anything he could do as a "goodwill gesture".

Stepien, who was wearing a black suit with a light blue tie and white shirt, sat with his head bowed in the dock at the back of the court during most of the half-hour hearing.