# Melbourne sommelier spared jail after excessive self-defence ruling in assault case

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/yugen-dining-sommelier-bashed-girlfriend-with-a-wine-cooler-during-drunken-row-why-a-court-found-lucas-chiche-acted-in-excessive-self-defence/
- Published: 2026-11-01T01:48:10+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T02:02:27+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16251283/Lucas-Chiche-sommelier-assault-girlfriend-Melbourne.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Lucas Chiche admitted recklessly causing injury to his girlfriend.
- The court found his response was excessive self-defence.
- He received a two-year bond and must complete a behaviour programme.

## Summary

Melbourne sommelier Lucas Chiche pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury after hitting his girlfriend on the head with a wine cooler during a drunken confrontation. The court accepted that she had scratched him and was “coming at” him, but ruled his response was excessive and illegal; the magistrate stressed that domestic violence was unacceptable.

Chiche was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond without conviction and must provide proof that he completes a men’s behavioural change programme. The magistrate said the excessive self-defence finding spared him the risk of jail, and warned that another offence involving violence could lead to a prison sentence. Chiche works at South Yarra restaurant Yugen Dining and has received recognition as a sommelier.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.