Tossed boss admits drunken assault on bouncers
The boss of healthy fast-food chain Tossed has admitted drunkenly assaulting two bouncers after being asked to leave a west London nightclub.
City of London Magistrates' Court heard that Vincent McKevitt, 38, had been on a diet involving "a form of starvation" that lowered his tolerance to alcohol at the time of the assault, on 9 December 2017, in Embargo Republica club.
Hector MacLean-Watt, mitigating on McKevitt's behalf, said: "He admits he was under the influence of alcohol at the time, but his diet is a form of starvation and lowers alcohol tolerance considerably.
"It was an uncivilised and deplorable way to behave and is a salutary lesson. He is remorseful and deeply embarrassed by his behaviour that night."
Prosecutor Sharon Michaels said McKevitt had been asked to leave the King's Road club because "he had been drinking too much, he was drunk and because of his behaviour".
The court was told that McKevitt punched one bouncer in the face, and another on the back of the head.
The businessman was slapped with a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 250 hours of community service. He will also pay each of the two victims £150 compensation, £620 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Magistrate Mena Rego told McKevitt: "This offence was clearly fuelled by alcohol. The offence was aggravated by the fact you were drunk and the victims provide a service to the public."
Tossed, founded in 2005, has 38 locations in London, Welcome Break service stations and Dubai. Earlier this month the business acquired Vital Ingredient for an undisclosed sum, adding 13 stores to its portfolio.
Records filed with Companies House show that in the year to 31 March 2017 Tossed made a pre-tax loss of £171,384 despite turnover of £10m.
Healthy eating chain Tossed acquires Vital Ingredient >>
Vital Ingredient secures £12m to support expansion plans >>
UKHospitality issues warning to Public Health England over calorie reduction plan >>
