A PERTH restaurateur behind Thuggs Fried Chicken and Waffles has been found guilty of assault but acquitted over claims he threatened to destroy a man’s cafe and put him “in a coffin” over some fruit and vegetables.
Pezzano Enterprises owner Giovanni Pezzano, 41, stood trial in the West Australian District Court this week charged over an incident in July last year.
The jury found Pezzano not guilty of extortion but guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm, which resulted in a $5000 fine and a spent conviction.
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READ NOWDefence counsel Luka Margaretic told AAP on Thursday that Pezzano was very relieved at the extortion acquittal but disappointed about the assault conviction and would pursue an appeal.
Mr Margaretic said the appeal would rely on CCTV footage to clear Pezzano.
Bistro 21 general manager Mario Chiametti had claimed during the trial that Pezzano visited his cafe with some other men and became agitated when he said he did not want Pezzano to be his new fruit and vegetable supplier.
Mr Chiametti testified that another man blocked him when he tried to go back inside, until he agreed to walk with the men.
He said Pezzano squeezed hard on the muscle between his neck and shoulder, then later gripped his arm, causing a bruise.
Pezzano was also accused of threatening to put Mr Chiametti “in a coffin” and saying he would “destroy” his business.
Mr Margaretic told the jury his client was a “model citizen”, who had made a $2.5 million profit in the past year and had no reason to go after Mr Chiametti.
Pezzano is behind popular eateries including MOP Donuts, The Meatball Bar, The Meating Ground and Gourmet Republik.