A millionaire's son in court for threatening a barman with a fake gun has been told he will be allowed to go on his luxury holiday before facing sentencing.
Oliver George was brought to court after a drunken row with a bartender on a yacht who refused to serve him prosecco.
But despite admitting to possessing an imitation firearm in a public place, the 26-year-old will now jet off for a month-long stay in the Caribbean, where his family has a home.
Advert
Magistrates came to the decision after satisfying themselves that George wasn't trying to avoid justice.
During the proceedings, he was ordered to go home and get his £1,100 ($1,350) plane ticket to prove that the trip was booked before his offence at the Sandbanks Yacht Club in Poole Harbour, Dorset.
The prosecutor did not object to the lengthy delay, but stressed George 'should not be able to escape punishment by simply leaving the country'.
Advert
In mitigation, George's defence solicitor Terry Scanlan, said his client admitted the offence, but didn't concede there was any link between the toy gun and his request for booze.
He said: "He is going to Barbados on a pre-booked family holiday. I understand the family has some premises in Barbados. He is due to return on November 11.
"It is unfortunate timing. It is a pre-paid and pre-planned trip.
"He is going to a house with his family and they will be looking after him. I understand there is medical assistance the family can source in Barbados, and this is someone who has been involved with Mr George in the past.
"For all sorts of reasons, there are benefits to this trip. My respectful proposal to the court is that the hearing is adjourned until after he returns on November 11, and as soon as possible after that."
Advert
George won't be assessed by a probation officer for a pre-sentence report until after he gets back on 11 November. It will then take another month before he can be dealt with.
During the hearing, the court heard that George, who lives yards from former football manager Harry Redknapp, caused trouble during an afternoon drinking at the yacht club on 20 September.
He became annoyed when staff refused to serve him any more alcohol because he seemed too drunk.
George then lifted his cardigan and flashed the handle of a pistol that was tucked into the waistband of his shorts.
The court heard that he then told the barman 'don't be a p***y, give me a drink'.
Advert
In a bid to calm him down, staff handed George a glass of prosecco before calling the police.
Prosecuting, Ryan Senevirante, said: "He returned to the club at 3.30pm, went to the bar and showed he had something tucked into his waistband.
"He was told he could not have a gun but he replied 'don't be a p**sy, give me a drink'.
"The police were then called but the defendant had left by then."
Advert
Armed police raced to George's £2m ($2.4m) family home close to the yacht club and he was arrested.
George will be sentenced on 4 December.
Featured Image Credit: BPNS