A man damaged a payphone after it swallowed his money as he tried to make a call.

Clinford Joseph, of Lonsbrough Flats in Southgate, admitted criminal damage when he appeared before Kirklees magistrates.

The 31-year-old, who is one of Huddersfield’s worst offenders, now has over 260 convictions to his name.

Catherine Pitters, prosecuting, said that Joseph’s latest offence happened on October 7.

At just before 9pm he was seen damaging the handset of a public payphone in the town centre.

Joseph was arrested and admitted causing £137 worth of damage.

Mrs Pitters said: “He said he caused the damage because he was upset.

“He put a pound into the phonebox and had been unable to make a call but the box kept the coin.”

Magistrates agreed to adjourn Joseph’s case until November 7.

This is because he faces sentencing for other matters on that date.