Wealthy Businessman Punches Taxi Driver In Row Near Chiswick
Assaulted after row over the route home from Heathrow
A row between a wealthy businessman and a taxi driver about whether they were in the wrong lane for the A4 near Chiswick, had a sequel in Ealing Magistrates court this week.
Simon Rubel Lo Gatto, 44, the owner of a leading Italian luxury office furniture company based in St. James’, left Nakalingam Koneswaran with a black eye in the attack, as he returned home from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Ealing Magistrates Court
He received a twelve-month community order, including 80 hours community work and was ordered to pay compensation and court costs.
The court was told that the businessman shouted "I'm a rich man" before punching the mini cab driver in the face in a row over the route home from Heathrow Airport. He also said he was " a mafia man" and that he could do whatever he wanted.
Ealing magistrates court heard that he threatened to hit the driver again if he stopped the car.
He had taken a minicab from Heathrow Airport to his £1.15m apartment in Wimbledon Village on November 30 last year, but changed his mind during the journey and demanded to be taken to Brinkley’s Garden, a restaurant in Hollywood Road, Little Chelsea to meet his girlfriend.
“He was sitting behind me and slapped my left arm,” Sri Lankan-born Mr Koneswaran told the court.
“He said: ‘I’m a rich man, do you know my family? We’re a valuable family.’
“As I turned around he punched my face - the left eye - and I told him to get out, but he said: ‘If you stop I’ll punch you again.’
The taxi driver said tht he had a black eye the next day. This incident had traumatised him.
Lo Gatto is the European MD of Interoffice, and they have a series of rich clients.
He is a member of Ham polo club, a partner and international ambassador for Dubai Fashion TV and Dubai’s five-star Royal Ghantoot Marina and Resort.
The mini-cab driver told the magistrates: “He was treating me like a servant. I’ve never had anyone treating me like that.
When Lo Gatto was arrested at home on December 4, he denied drinking on the flight or being drunk and told the court: “He starts being a little rude and we began to argue loudly. He said both sides had been swearing in the row.
Magistrates sentenced the businessman to a twelve-month community order, including 80 hours of community service. He must also pay Mr Koneswaran £100 compensation, as well as a £60 victim surcharge and £620 court costs.
June 30, 2016