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Tony 'The Fridge' Morrison convicted of assault Tony 'The Fridge' Morrison sentenced for assault
(about 3 hours later)
A charity fundraiser well-known for running with a fridge strapped to his back has been convicted of assault.A charity fundraiser well-known for running with a fridge strapped to his back has been convicted of assault.
Tony Morrison arrived in a state of "heightened emotion" at former employee Andrew Mallaby's home after going round to retrieve company property, Sunderland Magistrates' Court heard. Tony Morrison arrived in a state of "heightened emotion" at former employee Andrew Mallaby's home after going round to retrieve a company laptop, South Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard.
Morrison said he thought he had caught Mr Mallaby selling the "crown jewels" of his business to a competitor. The 51-year-old said he thought he had caught Mr Mallaby selling client information to a rival marketing firm.
An altercation then took place and he slapped him and bit him on the arm.An altercation then took place and he slapped him and bit him on the arm.
Morrison previously denied four charges of assault and one of using violence to get into a home.Morrison previously denied four charges of assault and one of using violence to get into a home.
Often known as "Tony The Fridge", Morrison has raised about £100,000 for charities including Cancer Research UK and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and was named fundraiser of the year at the Pride of Britain Awards 2014. Often known as "Tony The Fridge", Morrison has raised about £100,000 for charities and was named fundraiser of the year at the Pride of Britain Awards 2014.
'No underwear on' 'No underwear'
The court heard Mr Mallaby's sister Lauren rang the police after shouting at him to leave. He was eventually bundled out, two colleagues broke up the fight and they left. The court heard Mr Mallaby had been part of the team that ran Morrison's business after he stepped down to focus on charity work.
During the struggle Morrison's trousers split open, he told the court, leaving him exposed as he had no underwear on. He had run the website and had in his possession a laptop but Morrison said he was "worried" the client information "would be lost forever" if it was not returned.
The court heard Mr Mallaby's sister Lauren rang the police and Morrison was eventually bundled out her family home in Sunderland before leaving the scene.
During the struggle Morrison's trousers split open, leaving him exposed as he was not wearing underwear.
Judge Roger Elsey said: "The sirens of the police officers could be heard but he did not wait for their arrival.Judge Roger Elsey said: "The sirens of the police officers could be heard but he did not wait for their arrival.
"If he thought he was an innocent man who had been assaulted he would have waited for the police.""If he thought he was an innocent man who had been assaulted he would have waited for the police."
Morrison was also convicted of assaulting Mr Mallaby's father George by punching him as the family tried to eject him from their house in Sunderland. Morrison was also convicted of assaulting Mr Mallaby's father George.
Two other charges of assault, one against Lauren Mallaby and one against mother Jean Mallaby, and a charge of using violence to secure entry were dismissed. Two other charges of assault and a charge of using violence to secure entry were dismissed.
The 51-year-old, from Hebburn, said he had "nurtured" Mr Mallaby for many years and loved him "like a son" and felt "betrayed" by his actions. Morrison, from Hebburn, said he had "nurtured" Mr Mallaby for many years and loved him "like a son" and felt "betrayed".
Judge Elsey said he would pass sentence later this afternoon but would balance "the contribution he has made to charity". He was handed a 12-month community sentence, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £600 in compensation and in costs.