Blaine prankster fined

A BUSINESSMAN was fined €1,000 yesterday for causing criminal damage to illusionist David Blaine's water supply unit.

Stephen Charles Field, 38, admitted scaling a 30-feet scaffolding tower which houses the unit supplying water to Blaine during his 44-day salvation challenge.

Field, who said he initially wanted to get a better view of the magician in his box, then threw a five-gallon plastic water container from the tower, ripping off the feeder pipe and breaking two taps in the process.

The married father-of-four, of Fieldview Cottages, Aaron's Hill, Godalming, Surrey, and who owns a cleaning firm, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and a further charge of using threatening behaviour at Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court in London.

Claudette Hamilton, prosecuting, told the court how Field had decided to take a look at Blaine after working until 3am on September 16.

He climbed the tower that is connected to Blaine's box, which is suspended near Tower Bridge.

Miss Hamilton said: "He was seen to be rocking the top platform and then tugging at pipes and ropes which connect the supporting tower to the box."

Security staff were alerted by Blaine and attempts were made to persuade Field to come down. However, Field proceeded to pick up a water container and threw it to the ground.

The container landed some 30 feet away from the foot of the tower, shattering and spilling its contents on the ground.

Field then challenged security staff below, shouting: "I'll take you all on if I come down. I'll take you all on."

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene, and power was temporarily cut off to prevent Field being electrocuted by the cables.

The defendant eventually came down of his own accord and was arrested.

Damage to the water container unit, feeder pipe and taps was estimated at £225 (€320).