10:17AM, Sun Aug 26, 2012

'You've Been Tangoed' Prankster In Court For Assault

By Andy Hughes Location: South Shields

An attacker inspired by old adverts for the fizzy drink Tango has been hauled before magistrates for hitting a stranger in the street.

Mark Guy hit a student in the head and ribs and shouted “You’ve been Tangoed!”, a reference to a 1990s advert for the soft drink, which was banned amid fears it was inciting violence.

The 28-year-old was arrested soon after and admitted striking his victim. He later pleaded guilty to assault at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 24.

Rachael Dodsworth, prosecuting, told the court the attack happened at 4.45pm on June 16, 2012, in South Shields, South Tyneside.

She said: "The victim was walking along Ocean Road towards South Shields Metro station when he saw two men coming towards him.

"One gave him the thumbs-up sign as they walked past, and he responded with the same.

"Then he heard shouting coming from behind him but couldn’t hear what was being said because he had headphones on."

"The man then hit him in the head and ribs."

Mark Richardson, defending, said: "This is clearly very juvenile behaviour. He and his friend had been drinking and he went up to a complete stranger and hit him with open hands and shouted 'you've been Tangoed'.

"He didn’t think it was assault, probably because he saw it on an advert in the 90s. But that advert was banned and it is now 2012. Society has moved on."

Magistrates gave Guy, of Trinity Walk, South Shields, a 12-month conditional discharge which will run alongside his suspended sentence. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to his victim.