Jonathan Wright: Leichhardt man sentenced over Vintage Cellars Newtown outburst

After a drunken man was denied alcohol at a bottle-o, he threatened a young employee by bizarrely claiming he worked for Sydney identity John Ibrahim. Find out what he claimed.

Jonathan Wright was convicted at Newtown Local Court. ​

When a drunken father was denied alcohol by a young bottle-o employee he resorted to a bizarre litany of threats, alleging he worked for Sydney identity John Ibrahim and stating “you don’t know who you’ve f**ked with”, a court has heard.

Leichhardt man Jonathan Wright, 52, fronted Newtown Local Court on Tuesday where he was forced to face the consequences of his threats and aggressive behaviour.

The 52-year-old pleaded guilty to intimidating someone with the intention of causing physical or mental harm.

According to documents tendered to court, Wright’s night of drinking descended into aggressive behaviour when he entered Vintage Cellars at King St, Newtown, in the early evening of January 15.

When Wright walked to the service desk, a 25-year-old casual employee refused to sell him alcohol because he believed the Leichhardt man was already drunk.

Jonathan Wright leaving Newtown Local Court.

At this point, police facts state Wright began yelling and pointing aggressively at the 25-year-old employee.

“(Wright) continued yelling at the victim … (and used) words to the effect of “I’m going to f**k you up”, “I work for John Ibrahim, you don’t know who you’ve f**ked with”,” police facts state. “(Wright) also offered the victim to step outside the front of the store and fight him.”

Mr Ibrahim is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing or association with Wright.

According to police facts, Wright continued using phrases to the effect of “you don’t know who you have messed with”.

Court documents state the Leichhardt father left the store and walked across the street, only to return minutes later. However, he couldn’t enter the business because the employees had locked the bottle shop’s doors.

Shortly after, Wright was arrested by police and participated in an interview.

“(Wright) stated he was “only taking the piss” when asked about his conversations with the victim,” police facts state.

In court, Wright’s lawyer said her client doesn’t drink alcohol often but had indulged on that night.

The court also heard Wright had since taken anger management courses.

But Magistrate Lisa Stapleton told the court Wright’s behaviour on that night was “reprehensible”.

“How do you think that would’ve effected a 25-year-old just working on a Sunday night at a bottle shop?,” Ms Stapleton asked.

“Maybe he feels he cannot do customer service anymore, maybe he quit the next day,” she added.

Ms Stapleton convicted Wright and placed him on a two-year community correction order.

Wright was also fined $550, ordered to abstain from alcohol and banned from returning to Vintage Cellars Newtown.