London chef ‘lost the plot’ and engaged in ‘thuggery and vandalism’ in Derry hotel
Derry Magistrates’ Court has heard how a London chef 'lost the plot and engaged in wanton thuggery and vandalism' in the multi-award winning Bishop’s Gate Hotel.
The incident occurred at a family and friends function on August 31.
The defendant was sentenced to two months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, when he appeared in custody at the local Magistrates’ Court.
Stanley Hanna-Carpenter, 36, from Barchester Street in London, pleaded guilty to punching and choking another male guest at the function.
He also admitted causing £3,500 worth of criminal damage to fixtures and fittings in the hotel.
A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service told District Judge Suzanne Rice that Hanna-Carpenter was arrested in the hotel on Monday afternoon following a phone call from a member of staff to the police that the defendant had damaged numerous fixtures and fittings and had assaulted another guest.
Defence barrister Stephen Mooney said that what started off as ‘high jinx became criminality’ due to the amount of alcohol Hanna-Carpenter had consumed following a year of sobriety.
"He completely lost the plot. He has little memory of what he did but he accepts he did it. There is no excuse for his actions. It was wanton thuggery. He waives his right to a pre-sentence report and would like the matter to be dealt with today.
"He has a return flight to London booked for Thursday and he is not in a position to immediately pay compensation for the damage he has caused,” Mr. Mooney said.
Imposing the suspended sentence the District Judge described Hanna-Carpenter's behaviour as reprehensible.
"I have heard the unpleasant and unsavoury facts which gave rise to your criminality. You completely lost control causing criminal damage and punching and choking another guest at the same function. Such behaviour in any country is reprehensible," she said.
As well as imposing the suspended jail sentence, the District Judge also ordered the defendant to pay the hotel compensation of £3,500 within twenty-six weeks and imposed a Restraining Order barring the defendant from contacting his victim for eighteen months.
"The hotel should not be out money because of your actions", she added.