Co-owner of Rabbit restaurant admits aiming fake shotgun
The co-owner of London Chelsea restaurant Rabbit has admitted charges of carrying a firearm in a public place after he was arrested for aiming a fake shotgun at pedestrians in August.
Richard Gladwin (pictured with his brother Oliver
The duo admitted the charge, along with a charge of affray, at Isleworth Crown Court - meaning they agreed that events had taken place as described - but a previous hearing had denied the earlier charge of possessing a firearm with intent to cause violence after it was determined that the shotgun in question was not real. Gladwin was also seen drinking Champagne before the event, it was said.
Both men have now been released on unconditional bail and await sentencing at Isleworth on 28 January.
Speaking to London newspaper the http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/chelsea-restaurant-boss-i-regret-scaring-people-in-street-with-fake-shotgun-a3142606.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Evening Standard, Gladwin said: "I accept that this is the biggest mistake of my life and I am already paying the price for it. I regret that this ever happened and apologise for any distress my actions caused."
He added that the incident had been out of character.
Speaking at the hearing, Judge Richard McGregor-Johnson called the behaviour "pretty stupid" and said that it would have been very frightening for "those on the receiving end" who would not have realised the gun was fake.
Opened in 2014, Rabbit is the second restaurant for the trio of brothers, which also includes chef Oliver and farmer Gregory, the latter of which grows produce and ingredients for the restaurants at the family farm in West Sussex.
The group's first restaurant, the Shed, opened in London's Chelsea under a "nose-to-tail" banner in 2012.
Gladwin previously worked at restaurants including Brawn, and Bunga Bunga, while chef Oliver's career lists sites such as Oxo Tower, Launceston Place, and River Cottage.
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