A disc jockey has pleaded guilty to a vicious assault on fellow DJ Fat Tony inside a Kent nightclub, an attack that left the veteran music artist hospitalised with serious facial injuries.
The Violent Confrontation in the DJ Booth
The incident occurred in the early hours of 14 December 2024 at the Lido Leisure Centre in Margate, Kent. Zack Bradley, 37, who performs under the name Zack Le Nez, approached Tony Marnoch, known professionally as DJ Fat Tony, 60, while he was performing.
Bradley and a friend were asked to leave the DJ booth so Tony could finish the final 15 minutes of his set. The situation quickly escalated, with the veteran DJ being shoved behind the decks and subjected to a torrent of vile abuse, including homophobic slurs.
When Tony attempted to gather his belongings to leave, Bradley struck him twice in the face, knocking him unconscious on the club floor. Shocking footage from the venue captured the moment the assault took place in front of horrified clubbers.
Hospitalisation and Legal Proceedings
Tony regained consciousness in an ambulance on the way to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket and a broken cheekbone. Photos of his injuries prompted an outpouring of online support from celebrities including Sharon Stone, Jennifer Lopez, and Ellie Goulding.
Zack Bradley, of Whitstable, Kent, was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH). He appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday morning, dressed in a blue patterned suit and black turtleneck, and pleaded guilty to the charge.
His Honour Judge Edmund Fowler noted Bradley would receive the usual credit for his guilty plea, often around 25%, and remanded him on bail. The court heard Bradley was subject to a known offender report, which will be considered during his sentencing at a later date.
Lasting Impact and a Sense of Vulnerability
Speaking after the hearing, DJ Fat Tony expressed relief at the guilty plea but described the lasting trauma of the attack. "It's been a traumatic year," he said. "Because I work so much, when I go to work, it is always in the back of my mind. It never really goes away."
He revealed he has needed to hire security for his engagements at great personal cost, stating the attack made him realise how vulnerable DJs can be. "I love my job, but it is sad that sometimes I no longer feel safe while playing," he added.
Tony continues to suffer physical effects from the assault, including occasional weakness in the eye muscle and headaches. "One side of my face is still affected," he confirmed, while acknowledging, "it could've been worse." He emphasised that violent resolutions are never necessary, regardless of the situation.
