Attacker to pay top chef more than EUR 50,000 in compensation

Matti Wikberg

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On Wednesday, the Helsinki District Court ordered a 32-year-old Helsinki man to pay nearly EUR 55,000 in compensation to Matti Wikberg, the former chef de cuisine of the Michelin 2-star restaurant Chez Dominique, who lost his ability to work after having been assaulted by the man.
      In addition, the accused got a suspended prison sentence of 12 months for a total of four assaults on the streets of Helsinki. He had previous convictions fo assault.
     
A hitherto perfect stranger attacked Wikberg on Helsinki’s Tehtaankatu late on May Eve when he was walking home from a party with a close relative. The chef de cuisine fell on his back and hit his head on the asphalt. The man twice kicked the victim, who was lying on the ground. Wikberg's relative also received a punch in the face.
      The District Court felt that the evidence was sufficient to support only the assault conviction, even though the prosecutor had brought charges of aggravated assault.
      The accused man caused Wikberg a brain injury, as a consequence of which he permanently lost his sense of smell and much of his sense of taste as well.
      It became impossible to work as a chef, as he no longer could distinguish the aroma of food without the sense of smell.
     
Wikberg had to give up his job as the chef de cuisine of Chez Dominique, and go more into administration. He and Hans Välimäki are the co-owners of the restaurant.
      When assessing the amount of compensation, the court paid attention to the fact that Wikberg would now have to acquire new skills in order to meet the competence requirements of a restaurant manager.
      The court estimated that Wikberg could reach his previous income level by the summer of 2009.
      The 32-year-old man was also found guilty on three other assault charges, one of them being the punch in the face of Wikberg’s relative.
      The other two attacks occured in January 2007, when he struck two men in the face with his fist in downtown Helsinki.
     
Matti Wikberg was not willing to comment on the verdict on Wednesday, as "the handling of the case is unfinished". It is likely to mean that he is considering whether to take the matter to the Court of Appeals. Wikberg had sought roughly EUR 30,000 more in compensation than the court agreed to.
      The convicted man also reported that he was considering submitting an appeal, as he regarded the compensation he was ordered to pay as "a very substantial sum of money".


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Top chef loses sense of smell and ability to work after assault (4.10.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat