City IT Man Fired For Boozy Race Assault

An IT engineer was fired after just one week with City watchdogs after a race-hate attack on a security guard at the building, following an all-night drinking-session with his new colleagues.

Simon Leavesley, 35, of Leinster Square, Paddington is an £800 per week computer expert and had just won a three-month contract with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court today to the racially aggravated assault of Toyin Ijabuola on August 20 at Lloyds Chambers, 1 Portsoken Street, Aldgate.

Leavesley, who had just downed six to seven pints while celebrating his first week in the job, was denied entry to the building just before midnight when he returned to collect his laptop and gym clothes.

"The security guard failed to recognise him and refused him entry to the premises because he was drunk," prosecutor Varinder Hayre told the court.

"Mr. Leavesley became aggressive and pushed the victim twice, calling him a black c*** and a f***ing idiot.

"Mr. Ijabuola was left quite shaken by how aggressive Mr. Leavesley was towards him and was upset about being racially abused.

"As the defendant walked towards the exit door he lunged at a second security guard, causing him to step backwards because he thought he was going to be hit by Mr. Leavesley.

"The defendant remained outside for some time, banging and kicking the doors several times," added Mrs Hayre. "Police were called and he was arrested.

"He told the officers he had met a woman who led him on and he was still frustrated and that is how things started and that he was disgusted with himself.

"He said he was so drunk he could not remember leaving the pub and regretted using words he would not normally use and had black and asian friends.

"He said that he felt he had let everyone down and it was out of character for him and he had no excuse."

The court heard Leavesley felt "obliged" to join his new colleagues for after-work drinks and consumed much more alcohol than he normally would.

Leavesley has since found a similar £160 per day job near Bond Street.

He was fined £400, with £90 costs and ordered to pay the victim £50 compensation.