Restaurant manager left with burns as angry customer punches coffee pot

Trouble flared after Adrian Tapper saw empty seats when he arrived at the Bengali restaurant in Willenhall and asked to sit there while eating his takeaway.

The 48-year-old second-hand car dealer lost his temper after the request was refused because the tables were booked, explained Miss Suzanne Francis, prosecuting.

A row developed with the manager Shah Ali during which the defendant felt he had been spoken to in a rude and abrupt way, continued the prosecutor.

He cancelled the meal and was given his money back but on the way out decided to punch a large pot full of hot coffee, which toppled over and burnt the face of Mr Ali.

The defendant had not intended to knock the scalding liquid over the manager, who suffered third-degree burns to five per cent of his body but has made a full recovery, said Miss Francis.

She added: "It was done out of frustration rather than malice. Mr Ali's injuries were serious but have healed.

"However he is still very upset at what happened on December 1 2017."

Mr Jonathan Duffy, representing Tapper, said: "He unreservedly apologises for his unacceptable behaviour.

"He still does not know why he over reacted in that way. He had been a regular customer and knew Mr Ali."

The defendant, from Bentley Lane, Willenhall, admitted assault and was given an 18-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work for the community.

He was also told to pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Ali and £120 towards the cost of the case.