Drunken investment banker made lewd gesture at woman then punched barman

An investment banker punched a barman in the face after making a lewd gesture at a woman during a drunken night out at a gastropub in Chelsea, a court heard.

Nicholas Dyte, 53, lashed out during an evening at The Admiral Codrington when he was refused more drinks and told to leave, leaning over the bar to strike the bar manager.

Ten minutes earlier, he had made a lewd gesture at a woman across the pub before accosting her and forcing her to bend over, Westminster magistrates’ court heard.

Dyte apologised for his drunken behaviour and admitted he was embarrassed, as he was ordered to do 120 hours of community service and pay compensation to the victims. The court was told the banker fears his convictions could derail his latest business venture, and he accepted his “smart-arse mouth” sometimes leaves people less than amused.

“This was an awful incident that took place,” magistrate David Best told Dyte. “The bar manager was doing his job and you were also grossly offensive to a customer in the pub.”

Prosecutor Jonathan Bryan said the woman was enjoying drinks with colleagues on December 18 last year when she locked eyes with Dyte at the bar, and he made the lewd gesture back at her. “I was disgusted and decided to challenge him,” she told the court.

Mr Bryan said 6ft 5in Dyte then “laid his arm on her, turned her around and bent down to look at her bottom.” When the drunken banker, who lives in a £1 million apartment on a private estate overlooking Wentworth golf course in Surrey, was told to settle his bill and leave by the bar manager, he turned violent.

“Before leaving, Dyte leaned across the bar and threw a single punch that connects with the barman’s forehead, resulting in bruising,” the prosecutor said.

Probation officer Christine Bradford told the court: “He is currently setting up a new business venture, an investment fund in which he intends to be the investment manager, but feels these convictions will cause him problems with financial regulators.” Dyte himself added: “I apologise for the upset I caused, particularly to the young lady. I am embarrassed about the whole evening and am ashamed of my behaviour.”

He denied punching the bar manager or making the lewd gesture, but was convicted by the court of two charges of assault and using threatening behaviour.

Dyte was given a 12-month community order and was told to pay £100 compensation to the woman, £500 compensation to the bar manager, and £1,085 in court costs and fees.