City Cyber Specialist In Drunken Pub Assault

A former Royal Marine turned cyber security expert drunkenly assaulted bar staff while trying to retrieve his bag in a City pub.

Kristian Tennick, 34, an executive consultant with Bishopsgate-based KennedyPearce Consulting was drinking with a group at the nearby Britannia pub.

He left his bag - containing his door key - behind and was too  drunk to properly identify it to staff and aggressively tried to grab it from behind the bar.

Tennick, of Falcon Brook Mansions, Balham High Road, who served as a signaller in the armed forces between 2003 and 2007, pleaded guilty to assaulting barman Sean Innes and manageress Hannah Gladwin on January 22.

Prosecutor Mr. Matt Barrowcliffe told City of London Magistrates Court Tennick left the pub at 8.30pm, but returned 45 minutes later.

“He attempted to buy another drink, but this was refused due to his level of intoxication.

“Staff had his bag that he left behind, but because he could not properly identify it refused to give it to him.

“This upset the defendant and he tried to force his way behind the bar and assaulted Mr. Innes by trying to push past him several times.

“Ms Gladwin is pushed and struck multiple times, about four. She describes them as strikes, but cannot say they were punches.

‘It is assaulting two people in their place of work and aggravated by and extreme level of intoxication at the time.”

Tennick had always denied the charges, but eventually admitted the assaults after viewing the CCTV footage for the first time before the scheduled trial.

He told the magistrates: “I am really sorry. It felt reasonable at the time, but having seen that I can see it was excessive.

“This has been an awful six-month period waiting for this looming over me and knowing the impact it will have on my life and my future career and working overseas.

“It could ruin everything I’ve worked hard for and achieved.”

His lawyer Keith Myers told the court: “This incident was borne out of stupidity. He had been out with friends drinking.

“In his bag was his door keys and he tried to push past both the barman and the manageress, who says she was struck on the back.

“He apologises from the bottom of his heart. Unfortunately he saw red when he couldn’t get his door keys.”

Magistrate Colin Bateman-Jones told Tennick. “You were clearly very drunk. You couldn’t identify the bag and hit Ms Gladwin four times.”

He was conditionally discharged for two years and ordered to pay Ms Gladwin £400 compensation and Mr. Innes £100. 

Tennick must also pay £310 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.