A disc jockey has confessed to a violent assault on DJ Fat Tony at a nightclub, an incident that resulted in the latter being hospitalized with a fractured eye socket.
Zack Bradley, aged 37, attacked the 60-year-old DJ by delivering two forceful punches that rendered him unconscious in the DJ booth, just before he was set to perform.
The altercation occurred in the early hours of December 14, 2024, at the Lido Leisure Centre in Margate, Kent, when Bradley confronted DJ Fat Tony, whose real name is Tony Marnoch, during his performance.
As Bradley, known professionally as Zack Le Nez, was requested to exit the booth with a companion to allow Tony to conclude the last 15 minutes of his set, tensions quickly rose.
The situation spiraled as the experienced DJ was pushed behind the decks and verbally assaulted with a series of abusive remarks.
In an attempt to collect his belongings and leave, Tony was struck in the face twice by Bradley, leaving him unconscious on the floor.
He told the Daily Mail he next woke up on the way to hospital where he was told he had a fractured eye socket and a broken cheekbone.
Shocking footage taken at the club showed the moment the veteran DJ was punched to the ground in front of horrified clubbers.
DJ Fat Tony was knocked unconscious after he was brutally punched twice in the DJ booth before he was scheduled to play
Tony told the Daily Mail he next woke up on the way to hospital where he was told he had a fractured eye socket and a broken cheekbone
Tony told us: ‘As soon as they arrived they were shouting and screaming in the DJ box. They refused to leave when I asked them to come back later.
‘His friend was homophobic, he called me a f****t, so I got into a row with him.
‘When I tried to leave he [Bradley] sucker punched me twice.
‘The next thing I knew I woke up in an ambulance.’
Harrowing photos of Tony’s injured face led to an outpouring of support online from many stars including Sharon Stone, JLo, and Ellie Goulding.
Bradley was arrested in the days after the attack and charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH).
He appeared before a judge at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday morning, speaking only to confirm his name and enter a guilty plea.
Bradley, of Whitstable, Kent, was joined by his family in court before taking to the dock in a blue patterned suit and black turtleneck jumper.
Bradley, who performs under Zack Le Nez, was asked to leave the booth with a friend so Tony could wrap up the final 15 minutes of his set
Shocking footage taken at the club showed the moment the veteran DJ was punched to the ground in front of horrified clubbers
DJ Zack Bradley (pictured) admitted to knocking DJ Fat Tony, 60, unconscious after brutally punching him twice in the face
Zack Bradley (pictured left) pleaded guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) in the Canterbury Crown Court on Monday morning
He appeared to lick his lips before standing before His Honour Judge Edmund Fowler.
The judge said: ‘You have pleaded guilty, you will get credit for that, it’s usually 25 per cent, it’s a matter for the sentencing judge.
‘You will be on bail. I appreciate you are on an order already. It’s very much in your interest to comply with that.’
It was heard that Bradley was subject to a known offender report, which will be factored in to his sentencing at a later date.
Speaking after the hearing, Tony said: ‘Amazing. Good on him. It will go in his favour. It’s amazing news, I am really happy.
‘I’m not happy that somebody is going to prison. But it proves the justice system works.
‘It’s been a traumatic year. Because I work so much when I go to work, it is always in the back of my mind. It never really goes away.
‘I am very accessible due to my job. And of course, if somebody wants to know where I am, they can just search where I’m playing on my website.
DJ Fat Tony admitted to feeling vulnerable in the DJ booth because of how easily accessible he in while he through his work
DJ Fat Tony said one side of his face is still affected after the attack where sometimes the muscle in his eye goes a bit weak and he sometimes gets headaches
‘That’s not an easy thing either. I’ve had to have security with me for the past year. It comes at a great cost.
‘For me, I just want to make people happy, I want people to dance and to be happy that’s all I’ve already wanted in life.
‘House music for me is about celebrating love. When someone disrupts that world in such a way it leaves you feeling vulnerable.
‘I love my job and love what I do, but it is sad that sometimes I no longer feel safe while playing.’
He added: ‘One side of my face is still affected. Sometimes the muscle in my eye goes a bit weak and makes the squint a bit. Sometimes I get headaches.
‘Do you know what, it could’ve been worse.
‘Getting attacked never really came into my mind really. It has made me realise how vulnerable as a DJ we are. We are accessible
‘Situations, whatever they are do not need to be violent.’
