Dragon’s Den winner ‘knocked his 7 months pregnant girlfriend unconscious with punch to the face’
A DRAGON’S Den winner knocked his pregnant girlfriend unconscious after punching her in the face, a court has heard.
Ross Mendham, 40, won a £60,000 investment on the BBC show after the Dragons took a liking to his noodle and pasta business in 2013.
But he is now accused of punching his partner, who was 32 weeks pregnant at the time, in the face on December 2 last year.
Mendham, of Cringleford, Norfolk, denied assault causing actual bodily harm as he appeared at Norwich Crown Court via video link from prison today.
He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea during a short hearing today.
The businessman was remanded in custody to appear at the same court for trial on June 5 later this year.
Mendham, who has tattoos on his face and neck and wore a sandy-coloured jumper for his court appearance, is the son of former Norwich City footballer Peter Mendham.
The ex-bodybuilder received an investment from Peter Jones for his Bare Naked Foods business – which makes low calorie and low carbohydrate pasta, rice and noodles from konjac plants.
His products have been on the shelves of several supermarkets including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons.
Mendham also launched a fashion brand called God of Design (GOD) that upcycles vintage and designer clothing in 2022.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.