King's Road Restauranteur In Court On Shotgun Charge

Shotgun Charge: Richard Gladwin

A restaurant boss and his friend, accused of brandishing a double-barrelled shotgun outside his trendy Chelsea eatery, have appeared in court for the first time.

Richard Gladwin, 31, co-owner of King's Road's 'Rabbit' restaurant and Frederick Lawrence Samengo-Turner, 27, were sent to Isleworth Crown Court for a preliminary heating on November 24.

Gladwin, who lives in a £1.4m apartment in Albany Mansions, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea and Samengo-Turner, of Bolingbroke Road, West Kensington did not enter pleas.

Both face one count of possessing a firearm, with intent to cause fear of violence, on August 28, namely a decommissioned double barrelled shotgun.

Prosecutor Mr. Darren Watts told Hammersmith Magistrates Court: “The charges the defendants face are indictable only.”

Agreeing they could remain on unconditional bail he added: “The Crown have no issues. They are gentlemen of good character.”

District Judge Shenaugh Bayne revealed she was “taken aback” the men are on unconditional bail announcing: “Clearly the offences they face are extremely serious and not matters that can be dealt with in this court.”

Gladwin is the co-owner of the 'wild food' restaurant and was arrested by armed police after allegedly being seen drinking champagne and pointing the shotgun at passers-by and taxi drivers on the King's Road.

A report to Kensington and Chelsea council by director of environmental health Nicholas Austin said Mr Gladwin appeared to be “heavily intoxicated” and “waving the gun around which he kept on display in the restaurant.”

Rabbit opened last year and is run by Mr Gladwin, who is front of house and his younger brothers Oliver, a chef, and Gregory, who grows produce on the family farm in West Sussex.

As their website boasts, it is “sustainable ingredients and wines from the family farm in Sussex are served in a bucolic space.”

The trio also run The Shed in Notting Hill - which they opened in October 2012 - and its licence is also under review.

A spokesman for Rabbit said: “There was an incident at Rabbit in August which is being resolved in the correct manner. Mr Gladwin is fully co-operating with police.".”