Ryan Hale: Chef slapped Intersection Tavern bartender’s buttock

A magistrate has slammed a man who slapped a young female gaming attendant on the backside so hard it left a full-sized red handprint on her buttock. The Sydney chef said he was celebrating a win on the pokies.

Sydney chef Ryan Hale, 42, was convicted of common assault after he slapped a female bartender on the backside at the Intersection Tavern in Ramsgate.

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A Sydney chef who slapped a young female gaming attendant on the buttocks so hard he left a full-sized red handprint has been castigated by a magistrate in court.

Ryan Hale, 42, was charged with common assault after he slapped a 20-year-old woman on the backside as she worked at the Intersection Tavern in Ramsgate on July 2.

The Kogarah Bay man, who works as a chef at Macchina in Sans Souci, was using the pokies in the smoking area when the victim bent over to pick up a glass and he slapped her.

“The victim said ‘Ryan, you can’t do that, you can’t touch me like that,” agreed police facts state.

“Hale began to laugh and clap his hands, and said ‘sure I can, why not’.”

Ryan Hale, 42.

After the victim reported the incident to her manager and went to the bathroom to compose herself, she discovered a horrifying red mark on her buttock.

“While in the bathroom she felt the area she was hit on become hot,” agreed police facts state.

“The victim pulled her pants down to inspect the area and has noticed a red mark in the shape of a full palm hand print on her left cheek.

“The victim has again become emotional and started crying.”

Hale pleaded guilty to the single charge at Sutherland Local Court, where his solicitor characterised it as an accident which occurred as he celebrated a win on the pokies.

Magistrate Philip Stewart dismissed that explanation.

“A woman less than half his age is reaching forward, and he hits her – this is not a glancing blow,” Mr Stewart said.

“It was a targeted hit to the woman’s buttocks because it left a clear hand print on her buttocks hours after – in my view he is minimising his involvement.”

Hale was convicted and fined.

Mr Stewart convicted Hale and fined him $1000.

“People in their work environment have a right to feel safe and not receive a slap on the bottom by people playing gaming machines,” Mr Stewart said.

“It seems difficult to accept that he did not intend to hit the young lady on the buttocks, he left a full hand print on her buttocks – I don’t think he’s taking this seriously at all.”

Hale had known the victim for about two years since she had begun working at the Intersection, where he frequently played the pokies and had a drink.

He has been banned from attending the venue since he assaulted the young woman.