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| Court Date: Rhys Yates |
A rising young actor, who has appeared in crime thriller ‘Stan Lee’s Lucky Man’ and hit comedy ‘Plebs’, spat at a female paramedic and called her colleague a “faggot” after being found lying in a pool of his own vomit.
EastEnders star Rhys Yates, 24, who has been cast as Julius in the upcoming Roman tv epic ‘Britannia’ described his own behaviour as “disgusting” when he appeared in court.
The drama graduate, of Gooch House, Portpool Lane, Clerkenwell has criminal convictions for assault and public order and has been battling alcohol addiction.
He pleaded guilty to to assaulting Lisa Farrell outside Pizza Express, Bedford Hill, Balham in the early hours of August 13 and using threatening behaviour towards Shaun Glendenning.
Yates played the character Jake in ‘Stan Lee’s Lucky Man’ and Artemis in ‘Plebs’ as well as Rodney Bragg in ‘EastEnders’.
He will appear alongside actors David Morrissey, Mackenzie Crook and Zoe Wanamaker in upcoming historical action drama ‘Britannia’.
Prosecutor Mr. Kunal Dave told Wimbledon Magistrates Court it was 2.45am when a passer-by raised the alarm because of Yates’s condition.
“The ambulance crew found him lying next to a pool of vomit and began attending to him.
“He came around and told them to: ‘F*** off’ and shouted towards Mr. Glendenning: ‘You faggot.’
“He was told by the ambulance crew they were trying to help him, but he formed his hand into a fist and removed the mask that had been put on him to assist his breathing.
“He then spat on the shoulder of the female paramedic, who was assisting him.”
Eventually Yates was placed with difficulty into an ambulance and taken to hospital.
He later explained that he had a few beers that night and was under the influence of alcohol.
The court heard Yates, who has a BA (Hons) in acting from Rose Bruford College, is a product of the National Youth Theatre.
“He is getting counselling for alcoholism,” said his lawyer Roz Olleson. “He has got a high-profile agent and has gone into acting with great success.”
She told the court Yates had £70 in his pocket. "That’s all the money he has in the world and he’s brought that today.”
District Judge Barbara Barnes fined Yates £110 for each offence and ordered him to pay £100 compensation to Ms Farrell and £50 compensation to Mr. Glendenning as well as £85 costs.
She read extensive references and letters of apology Yates has written to the victims and the passer-by who called the ambulance
“The alcohol issue is one that this young man has made efforts to address and is determined not to waste all the hard work he has put in to get where he is now.
“He, himself, wishes to address his difficulties with alcohol. He has obviously very carefully prepared these letters he is forwarding to the people involved in the case and to the lady he spat at.
“The passer-by got caught up in your rather unpleasant behaviour at the time,” the judge told Yates. “That gentleman was present when the defendant was using unpleasant language and shouting and swearing in his intoxicated state.
“From what I’ve read you realise your behaviour was extremely unpleasant and made worse by the fact this was towards the London Ambulance Service after someone called out of concern for your safety.
“You are full of remorse and realise how unpleasant and unacceptable this behaviour is and that alcohol is to blame and that you must stay away from alcohol.
“You have a record, but have been out of trouble for two years now, although rather troubling that did involve alcohol.
“I hope your career goes from strength to strength.”
Yates replied: “Thank-you” after being told he would have to pay £20 immediately and the balance at £20 per week.
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