24 January 2024 , 09:53
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Phil Foden's mum was arrested by police after knocking a man's baseball cap off in a nightclub last September.
Claire Rowlands, 44, was arrested during a tequila-fuelled weekend with friends in North Wales. The mother of the Manchester City star was allegedly kicked out of a nightclub after her drunken antics triggered a row, Llandudno Magistrates' Court heard.
As reported by The Sun, Rowlands drank shots at a friend's caravan before partying at a sports bar and later Bentley's nightclub. She was asked to leave the latter venue after bouncers accused her of assaulting someone, as CCTV footage showed her knocking a baseball cap off a man's head before attempting to put it back on.
"I was just drunk," Rowlands told the court. "I was having a bit of fun. I had done it to a lad earlier. It was just a bit of fun, really."
Foden plays for Premier League champions Manchester City (Jose Breton/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)Rowlands was found not guilty of assault. She had admitted to drunk and disorderly behaviour, which led to a fine of £100 plus £85 in court costs and a £40 surcharge.
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She went on to tell the court: "I was drunk. It was just a bit of fun, a bit of banter. I just could not believe it, that I could get into trouble for knocking someone's cap off. It's my party trick, knocking someone's cap off and putting it back on."
Rowlands allegedly told police officers to "f*** off" after being ejected from the nightclub. She was then arrested and spent a night in the cells. She admitted in her police interview: "I kicked off with the police officers. I was a bit of a b****."
Rowlands also told the police: "I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal."
Duncan Campbell, who is the chairman of Llandudno Magistrates' Court, told Rowlands: "It is clear at the time that you were drunk, fooling around having fun. It is for the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that you intended to use force.
"It is telling that Mr Shortman has not attended and that your actions were not consensual. Therefore we find you not guilty."
Rowlands's son Foden is one of England's biggest footballers, having represented the national team 31 times at senior level. The 23-year-old has played 248 times for City and won several honours, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.