A chef who has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Tom Kerridge assaulted an Asian couple while making reference to the Manchester bombings in a London cocktail bar, a court heard.
Jack Crispin, 30, allegedly pulled Jaswant Singh’s turban off and hit him while making comments about his race and 9/11 at Dirty Martini in Bishopsgate on November 26 last year.
Mr Crispin said he was defending himself and his denies religiously aggravated common assault, an alternative of assault by beating.
Mr Singh’s partner Jaspal Rai was also allegedly hit by Mr Crispin when she tried to get between the two men – he denies a further charge of assault against her.
His brother James Crispin, 35, is on trial alongside him and denies assault by beating in respect of Mr Singh.
The siblings appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for their trial but it was adjourned after one of the witnesses called in with a family emergency.
Jack Crispin, 30, denied pulling Jaswant Singh’s turban off and hitting him and his partner Jaspal Rai at a cocktail bar in London last year
Thandi Lubimbi, prosecuting, said: ‘Jaswant Singh was on the dance floor with his partner Jaspal Rai.
‘It is said the defendants were jumping up and down on a wet floor sign at which the couple raised their eyebrows.’
One of the brothers allegedly swore at the couple and James hit Mr Singh to the head.
‘Jack Crispin called Jaswant Singh an Asian p***k. He then pulled his turban off and hit him to the head.
‘The Crown also say that Jaspal Rai then moved in between the two men and it is said that Jack Crispin punched her in the face causing her mouth to bleed.
‘The defendants are both arrested and the Crown say evidence of their racial hostility was captured in body worn footage.
‘The defendants were making remarks in relation to the complainant’s racial heritage and referring to the Manchester bombings and 9/11.’
On his LinkedIn Jack Crispin has posted pictures of him alongside Tom Kerridge, Marcus Wareing and Michel Roux Jnr
The court heard the brothers continue to deny the offences and claim they were acting in self-defence.
Panel Chair Kay Walker granted the Crispins unconditional bail ahead of their trial on 1 December at the same court.
Jack Crispin’s LinkedIn page features photos of the chef standing alongside household names including Tom Kerridge, Marcus Wareing and Michel Roux jnr.
According to his profile he is an experienced sous chef ‘with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry’.
He graduated from Barking & Dagenham College and worked at the West Essex Golf Club before taking a job at the Genuine Dining Company earlier this year.
Jack Crispin, of Cornwallis Road, Dagenham, denies one count of racially religiously aggravated common assault and two of assault by beating.
James Crispin, of the same address, denies one count of assault by beating.
The trial continues.