Sydney chef Kirby Craig of UME Burger wins appeal after domestic violence assault

Well-known Sydney burger chef Kerby Craig has had his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend overturned on appeal.

A prominent Sydney chef has had his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend overturned but a judge has rejected a claim The Daily Telegraph dealt out extra punishment by covering his case.

Kerby Craig, head chef and owner of UME Burger in Barangaroo and Bar Ume in Surry Hills, pleaded guilty to one count of assault after he tried to wrestle his girlfriend’s phone away from her.

Kerby Craig outside Downing Centre courts on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Joel Carrett

The court heard Craig put his arm on her throat before stopping the assault.

The celebrated chef was convicted and given a two-year community corrections order.

But he appealed before the NSW District Court, where his barrister said he had never offended before or since.

The court also heard Craig had been under immense pressure, worried about the pandemic’s downturn on his business and its 25 employees.

The Crown prosecutor told the court they had concerns that Craig had grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened self-harm in the lead-up to the assault.

They called it a “heating up” of the incident.

Justice Dina Yehia SC rejected a claim by the chef’s lawyer that The Daily Telegraph’s coverage, in December, amounted to “extra-curial punishment”.

However the judge overturned his conviction noting his clean record, ongoing treatment and concerns it could damage his chance of securing a liquor licence.

Craig will still have to be of good behaviour for the next two years as he remains on a community corrections order.