A technology executive ‘accidentally’ slapped his wife before smashing his way through a friend’s door after he was kicked out of a house party.
Broadcom Inc. boss Peter Cooper, 58, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and using violence to secure entry at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (7 June).
Prosecutor Kate Prince said the defendant, of John Ruskin Road, Tadpole Garden Village, overheard a conversation between his wife and a friend whilst attending a party on 27 December 2021.
The conversation was held in Polish, which left Cooper concerned they were saying derogatory things about him – given that he does not speak the language.
An argument ensued and the defendant “lashed out”, striking his wife to the face with an open palm in frustration. His wife did not support the prosecution and did not make a statement.
Ms Prince accepted Cooper’s guilty plea, which was entered on the basis that the assault was reckless and not intentional – caused by his arms flapping around during the disagreement.
Following the assault, others at the party in Claydon Road, Blunsdon St Andrew, closed the door when he left the address. But he returned moments later, violently kicking and banging on it.
As the partygoers inside phoned 999 to report the behaviour, he forced his way through the door – breaking the lock – before being pushed back outside. He then left the area.
Ms Prince said the couple’s children – one of whom is aged 14 – were present at the incident.
Defending, Lee Mott said his client is “very regretful” of his wrongdoing. He told the court that Cooper did not deliberately assault his wife, but accidentally struck her whilst “talking with his hand”.
He said the defendant was forced to rent a property for his wife at a cost of £1,300 a month for his wife to live in whilst police bail conditions prevented their contact.
Asking the court not to impose the building better relationships programme, Mr Mott said Cooper and his wife already attend joint counselling sessions.
He said the couple have jointly been punished for the defendant’s actions, which have caused them to re-mortgage their family home and had an adverse effect on his wife’s business – which was “paralysed through bail conditions”.
His wife’s business, a dog grooming company, has suffered as a result of the proceedings. Whilst she was unable to have contact with Cooper, the business – which operated out of the garage of their home – lost trade and several employees couldn’t work.
Mr Mott said his client earns £6,000 a month working for multi-billion-pound global technology giant Broadcom Inc., where he works as a senior executive.
Magistrates imposed a fine of £923 for the offence of using violence to secure entry. He must also pay £85 costs and a £92 surcharge.
For the assault, Cooper was given a conditional discharge – meaning he was convicted of the crime, but he will not be punished unless he commits another offence within 12 months.
