A bodyguard for rapper Akon has been found guilty of assault.
Mamadou Ndiaye, 40, who has worked with the rapper for eight years, was sentenced for assaulting a security guard after a gig.
The French native assaulted security guard Christopher Smith at The Hilton Hotel in Cardiff following Akon’s performance at Cardiff University’s Students’ Union .
Ndiaye denied assault by beating but was found guilty after a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, reports Wales Online.
The court heard the incident happened at around 11.30pm on November 3 last year in the hotel’s foyer.
Edward Marsh, prosecuting, said Mr Smith and witness Matthew Howard were working at the hotel as security staff.
The court heard The Hilton had a policy requiring all guests to show their key cards before entering the hotel.
Giving evidence to the court, Mr Howard said he was on duty at the front entrance of the hotel when a minibus with around 10 people inside pulled up.
He said he did not recognise Akon and that no advanced notice of his stay had been given, so he asked him for his card.
The witness said Akon swore and told him he would not be producing a key card and did not want to wait in the cold, before forcing his way past followed by his entourage.
Mr Howard described the situation as “volatile” and said he tried to prevent the group from passing, but did not use physical force.
He told the court he was pushed into the hotel’s revolving doors, adding: “The aggression was immediately obvious.”
The witness said his colleague Mr Smith then tried to stop the group inside the hotel in a “non-threatening” way. He described the group as “completely hostile” and likened them to a “street gang”.
Mr Howard said Ndiaye grabbed his colleague by the jacket and pushed him against the reception desk.
Mr Smith said he heard Akon say: “Who are you to ask us for ID? We don’t need to show ID. I’m not standing out here in the cold.”
He said the group then surged forwards into the reception and described Ndiaye’s demeanour as “aggressive” and “ready for violence”.
Mr Smith told the court: “He pushed me so my back was bent over the reception desk.”
He said Ndiaye weighed about 20st and used “substantial force” before throwing a handful of key cards into his face.
He told the court he did not suffer any injuries, but believed he could have received injuries to his lower back if he had tried to resist the force.
Mr Smith added: “There was a great deal of noise and confusion.”
Ndiaye was arrested and denied assault, stating his actions were meant to protect his client. He told officers he reacted to a perceived threat and believed the force he used was justifiable.
Jenny Yeo, defending, said Ndiaye had no previous convictions or cautions.
The court heard he had worked as a bodyguard for 20 years, including eight years working for Akon.
He said he was trained in martial arts, weapons and tactical combat and also trains other bodyguards.
Ndiaye said Akon “told them he was wet and needed to get into the lobby”.
He said the security staff were not wearing badges and denied pushing Mr Smith, stating he “moved” him.
The defendant added: “I wasn’t aggressive – I didn’t punch him, I didn’t hit him, I didn’t fight with him.”
He denied throwing the key cards in Mr Smith’s face, but accepted throwing them on the floor, saying he was tired after travelling.
Ndiaye was found guilty of assault and fined £500. He must pay £620 in costs, £100 in compensation and a £50 victim surcharge.
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