The Associated Press

March 3, 2009
NEW BEDFORD, Mass.—
A Massachusetts man has been fined $500 for assaulting a Chuck E. Cheese mouse.

Authorities say 34-year-old Trahan Pires thought the perpetually happy mascot had pinned his 11-year-old son against a video game. Pires, of Fairhaven, ripped off the mascot's head piece, pointed a finger at the man inside and yelled at him.

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The 19-year-old man in the mouse suit told police he put his arms out to get through a crowd of children trying to knock him over and never grabbed anyone. A witness agreed with that account.

Pires pleaded guilty Monday. A judge fined him after rejecting the prosecution's request for a six-month jail sentence.

Pires' family was at the children's restaurant in Dartmouth in May to celebrate his son's birthday.