A FERNDALE man told a police officer to “do one” after he was asked to put a face mask on at an Esso garage.

Darren Moore threw coins and grabbed a face mask from behind the till after the spat on August 27, 2020, at the service station in Dorcan Way.

Prosecutor Kate Prince told Swindon Magistrates’ Court the 30-year-old then tried to push the mask through the night pay draw.

District Judge Joanna Dickens found Moore, of Ferndale Road, guilty in his absence of contravening a direction to wear a face covering within, or leave, a relevant place.

The court heard Moore had been asked by the police constable to put on a face mask. Ms Prince said: “[His] response was for the officer to do one and asked if he had nothing better to do.”

The officer encouraged maskless Moore to buy one. He said he wasn’t going to buy a mask for £2.50, adding: “F*** that.” The man refused to give his name or date of birth.

As he went to leave the store he grabbed a mask from behind the till then threw change. He then tried to give the mask back to the member of staff at the garage by pushing it through the night pay drawer.

Moore went back into the shop and was again asked to put on a mask. He said: “What the f*** you doing? Get the f*** away from me.”

He was arrested on a public order offence, Ms Prince said, and eventually gave his correct details when he was taken to the police station.

Judge Dickens was told that the direction to wear a face mask had been given lawfully by the officer, in line with the coronavirus legislation.

Moore, who did not turn up to the hearing, was found guilty in his absence of contravening a direction to wear a face covering within, or leave, a relevant place. A charge of obstruction was withdrawn.

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £119 in costs and surcharge.