Owner of Tassie and US businesses Fischer Caney fined after drunken brawl

A Tassie businessman who runs two popular pizza franchises and international labels has faced court after a punch-up over an Uber mix-up outside the Grand Poobah. SEE HIS PUNISHMENT >>

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A businessman at the helm of brands like Lumin Skincare, Honey Vader and Medici has avoided a conviction after a scuffle over an Uber booking mix-up.

Fischer Sidney George Caney, 27, appeared at Hobart Magistrates Court on Friday over two counts of common assault, both of which he had pleaded guilty to at an earlier court date.

The police prosecutor said Caney had been out drinking for a mate’s birthday in November when he and his friends hopped into an Uber outside the Grand Poobah.

A second group of men approached the car to say they had already booked that Uber.

Caney and his friends reluctantly left the vehicle.

Fischer Caney. Source: Facebook.

The police prosecutor said Caney backhanded a man in the face, then threw a punch at another man connecting with his cheek.

Caney “lunged at” and “threw several punches” at the first man.

The incident was captured on CCTV and mobile phone.

The men did not sustain significant injuries, but one had a sore nose, a swollen left eyebrow and pain in his left temple.

Defence lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi requested Caney be sentenced without conviction, listing Caney’s “extraordinary industrial record” owning local restaurants Medici and La Bella and United States brands Lumin Skincare, AirFlavour and Honey Vader.

Fischer Caney. Source: FACEBOOK.

“The recording of the conviction would interfere with the defendant’s ability to travel to the United States on business,” Mr Cangelosi said.

Mr Cangelosi said Caney was “emotional” and “tired” and facing work-related stress on the evening of the offence, as Covid-19 had impacted a working relationship with a business partner that had recently separated from him.

Mr Cangelosi said excessive drinking that night had a big impact on Caney, who had only consumed alcohol on five occasions in the last two years.

Hobart Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

He said Caney had been taken aback by the group of men approaching the Uber and lashed out at them in anticipation of conflict.

Magistrate Glenn Hay said Caney appeared to be a “person of usual and general good character” over whom alcohol had a negative effect.

“I wouldn’t like to have done to me what you did to those two people,” Mr Hay said.

Mr Hay said refraining from binge drinking would likely mean Caney would not reoffend.

He fined Caney $900, plus court costs and victims of crime levies worth nearly $110, and ordered 60 hours of community service.