Pilot plan for ex-restaurateur cleared of council employee stab threat (From News Shopper)

Pilot plan for ex-restaurateur cleared of Bromley Council employee stab threat

9:53am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News By Robert Fisk

Nasir Uddin denied making threats to stab a Bromley Council worker and blow up the council offices

A FORMER restaurateur cleared of threatening to blow up Bromley Council offices and stab an employee says he now wants to be an airline pilot.

Nasir Uddin, aged 43, had been accused of threatening a council worker when she visited his restaurant The Ruby in Chatterton Road, Bromley Common.

Bexley Magistrates’ Court heard she was there on October 12 last year to arrange for the collection of his rubbish bin and payment of fees because the restaurant was set to close.

She claimed he had been aggressive and made a stabbing motion towards her before telling her he would stab anyone else from Bromley Council.

She also told the court Mr Uddin threatened to blow up the council offices and she was left in tears because of what happened.

But giving evidence to the court Mr Uddin says he did not speak to any Bromley Council employees that day and would never say or do the things he was accused of.

He said: “I have been running businesses for more than 20 years. Why would I do something so ridiculous?

“I do not have a history of stabbing or blowing up things. I’m not a terrorist.

“I consider myself to be a good citizen.”

The council employee told the court she had never been to the restaurant before her visit last October.

But Mr Uddin says she had been in before and he had refused to serve her because she was drunk and with people who had previously been barred.

Magistrates found the Crown Prosecution Service had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Uddin had caused intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

Speaking after the verdict he said: I’m so glad that it’s all over and I’m glad the magistrates are intelligent and made the right decision.

“There’s more to life than restaurants, I’m going to Bromley College because I want to be an airline pilot – that’s better than serving a bunch of drunks.”

Bromley Council’s deputy leader Councillor Colin Smith said: “We are extremely disappointed with the verdict and are reviewing the potential options available, including asking for a detailed review of the Crown Prosecution Service’s handling of this case.

“It is important to note that our employee, who had never visited these premises before in any capacity and who was simply going about their lawful business in the course of their work, was seen by the court as a credible witness.

“As was stated in court, the ‘intent’ aspect was unfortunately deemed unproven but we remain extremely unhappy given the seriousness of the threat posed.

“We take the welfare of our staff extremely seriously and we will not hesitate to take legal action if we believe that our staff are threatened or intimidated in future.”