Winter Wonderland security guard facing life on dole after kicking visitor in head at popular family

A WINTER Wonderland security guard filmed kicking a visitor in the head as he lay on the floor has been left on the dole after the incident cost him his career, a court heard.

Alexandru Grigoriu, 29, (pictured above left during the attack) admitted one count of assault today at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The court heard there had been groups of people fighting at the popular annual London attraction in Hyde Park on December 8 last year.

Romanian national Grigoriu, formerly of Capel Road, Forest Gate, east London, went to try to diffuse the fighting but was punched by one of those involved in the brawl, a man called Jimmy Smith.

BRAWL: That had been large numbers of fights between young men break out at the event (YouTube)

TAKE THAT: Grigoriu (left) goes in for a kick as Mr Smith is held down (YouTube)

Grigoriu's defence lawyer said: "It caused the defendant to fall."

He said Mr Smith was then being restrained on the floor by Grigoriu's colleagues.

He added: "The defendant rose to his feet and kicked the victim on two occasions. One of the kicks hit around the head area. On that basis he is guilty and he cannot claim self defence."

Fighting at the event and the subsequent attack on Mr Smith was filmed and posted on YouTube.

POPULAR: Winter Wonderland draws huge crowds each December (Visit London)

He said Grigoriu had been tired and left agitated and disorientated by the punch he received and bitterly regretted his actions, apologising to the victim and the court.

h added: "He has lost his job and can no longer afford to live in London and has moved to Newcastle and is in the process of applying for universal credit.

"His wife is pregnant and is expecting their first child in November or December. He is a man of previous good character and I ask you to treat this as an isolated incident where he went over the top."

Prosecuting, Arfan Ahmed, said: "This was a kick to the head, there is no knowing what damage it could have done."

The case was adjourned until September 15 for a pre-sentence report.