Savile Row Tailoring Entrepreneur Thumped Stranger Asking For Directions

A young Savile Row tailoring entrepreneur, who boasts of a champagne-fuelled jet-set lifestyle, drunkenly punched a man in the face who asked him for directions near Sloane Square.

Privately-educated James Oliver Beckett-Dunn, 29, who attended £10,630 a term Pangbourne College, Berkshire says he is battling alcoholism and recovering from cancer.

He left victim Ghali El Jalil Hamoudi with a bloody nose after launching the unprovoked midnight attack during a night out with drinking pals.

Beckett-Dunn, of The Maltings, Spring Grove, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr. Hamoudi, on September 1 outside Chelsea Cloisters.

His LinkedIn profile claims he is a partner in Tom James, a global custom clothing company based in Old Jewry, Bank of England specialising in made-to-measure suits and home fittings.

The company own 170 year-old clothier merchant Holland and Sherry of Savile Row, whose luxury fabrics were transformed into suits worn by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Great Gatsby.

Tom James suits start at £779 and custom-made shirts at £99 and Oxford University graduate Beckett-Dunn portrays himself as a tailor to the stars.

Prosecutor Miss Kate Shilton told Hammersmith Magistrates Court yesterday: "Shortly before midnight the complainant was outside Chelsea Cloisters in Sloane Square.

"He approached two males and one of them was Mr. Beckett-Dunn to ask for directions.

"As he got closer Mr. Beckett-Dunn told him to: 'F*** off.' He was angry and seemed to move from side to side.

"He was asked why he was aggressive and Mr. Beckett-Dunn approached the complainant and punched him with his right fist on the nose with great speed as if he wanted to knock him out.

"Mr. Beckett-Dunn said he was: 'A piece of shit' and that was what he deserved.

"There were no injuries, but the victim thought he had broken his nose because there was blood on his face, but that did not seem to be the case.

"In his interview with the police Mr. Beckett-Dunn said he did not remember what happened and was intoxicated. He had been to a bar and was on a lot of medication and was seeing a psychiatrist.

"He said he was shocked and sorry to have hurt the man. This was a serious assault."

First-time offender Beckett-Dunn told the court: "I deeply regret it. I've been very poorly for two years and have not worked for two years.

"Cancer led to mental health issues. I am on twenty-one tablets a day. I'm struggling with alcoholism and with mental health issues."

His online profile also says he is on the Board of Advisors at Big Wolf Marketing Ltd and the owner of Bow Creek Cafe in Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands.

He also claims to be former volunteer street pastor with Christian organisation Ascension Trust.

Deputy District Judge Joanna Matson told Beckett-Dunn: "This was an unprovoked attack on a gentleman asking for directions.

"This was a very hard punch on a gentleman asking for directions."

Beckett-Dunn brought medical records with him to show to the court, but added: "This is not justification for anything I did."

He was bailed until October 22 for a pre-sentence report and alcohol treatment order assessment on condition he doesn't contact the victim directly or via social media.

Pangbourne College alumni include late film director Ken Russell; journalist Jefferson Hack; writer Jeffrey Bernard and double Olympic gold medal yachtsman Rodney Pattisson MBE.