City trader fined for punching man in Margaret Thatcher-themed club in Fulham

‘Out of order’: Joseph Crawley said he thought his victim had groped his wife
Javier Casado/Central News
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A City trader who punched a man he mistakenly thought had groped his wife in a Margaret Thatcher-themed nightclub has been fined £300.

Joseph Stephen Crawley, 29, believed his victim Tim Rock had fondled his wife’s bottom when she fell on the dance floor in Maggie’s Bar, Fulham.

Crawley, a commodities trader from Chelsea, told police: “I must admit I thought that prick had touched my wife’s arse so I hit him.”

The court heard Crawley punched Mr Rock in the face as he was being escorted from the premises by security because of a confrontation with Mr Rock.

Crawley admitted hitting Mr Rock and added: “I know it was out of order, I was out of order.” He pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was fined £100 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Rock.

Police were called to the members’ club in the early hours of June 13 and found Mr Rock with blood pouring from his split lip.

The bar, in Fulham Road, has Rubik’s Cube tables, Eighties memorabilia and speeches by the late prime minister playing in the toilets.

Judge Jeremy Coleman, sentencing at Hammersmith magistrates’ court, told Crawley: “I give you credit for your guilty plea and your previous good character and I appreciate that a conviction for this matter may have potential consequences on your career.

“Perhaps this sort of nightlife, these sorts of bars, are not for you, and perhaps something a little more mundane would be appropriate in future.”

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