Kitchen hand doused diners with petrol in protest over wages

A Russian kitchen hand at a north London restaurant who doused diners in petrol because he felt his wages were too low was sentenced to two months' jail at the Old Bailey last Thursday after admitting a charge of affray.

The court heard that Vladimir Maisky, of Forest Gate, east London, entered Islington's Le Mercury restaurant on the evening of 31 August last year drunk and clutching a petrol can and a portable radio playing nationalistic music.

He proceeded to splash petrol over customers until tackled by manager Nebojsa Vidojebic.

Maisky was said to have felt cheated by the level of his wages - £170 for a week's work - and the fact that part of his wages came in the form of a cheque.

Le Mercury has 140 seats and specialises in Mediterranean food.

The court accepted Maisky's plea of not guilty to charges of attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and attempted arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.