A CHEF has pleaded guilty to assault by beating after he pinched a 14-year-old boy's nipple with a pair of kitchen tongs.

Michael Bright, aged 53, was working as a chef at a pub when he pinched the boy's nipple on December 3 last year, Weymouth Magistrates Court heard.

Prosecuting, Richard Oakley told the court that the victim was also working at the premises at the time and was carrying some baking trays when Bright picked up a pair of tongs, grabbed his nipple and pulled it. The victim said it was "very painful" and left the area bruised for a week.

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Mitigating, Ms Taylor said Bright, of Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, had been working as a chef since the age of 16 and in character references was described as a hard-working and professional individual. She said Bright was not aware of the victim's age and said the behaviour was part of 'kitchen culture'.

She said Bright accepts that this was unwanted behaviour which overstepped the line and has learned his lesson.

She said: "Mr Bright is a man of good character."

The bench adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Bright will appear again at Weymouth Magistrates Court on July 29.