Headstrong chef fined £100

A chef who headbutted a restaurant manageress was last week fined £100 and ordered to pay £75 compensation plus costs by a London court.

French-born Ronan Couraud was told to let his temper simmer when getting into an argument. The court heard that in June Couraud lost his temper and attacked Joanne Routley, manageress of a Café Rouge outlet in James Street in London's West End.

Counsel for Miss Routley, Susan Jacobs, said a minor dispute had taken place over the allocation of meals. Couraud headbutted Miss Routley in the face and then collected his belongings and left the restaurant.

Miss Routley, who had fallen to the ground, was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Couraud, who has since found other work at a restaurant in Reading, pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Routley, causing her actual bodily harm.

Magistrate Quentin Campbell ordered the fine and compensation after hearing that Couraud had already spent three weeks in custody on remand.

"Chefs seem to get a bit angry with life and they have got to learn to control it," said Mr Campbell. "He needs not to lose his temper."