By AIDAN RADNEDGE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 10:24 BST, 10 September 2025 | Updated: 10:35 BST, 10 September 2025 45 shares
A Dragons' Den winner was caught with cocaine after punching an Ivy restaurant manager when complaining of 'poor quality service', a court has been told.Ross Mendham, 41, who won £60,000 backing for his Norfolk food business on the hit TV show in 2013, attacked the assistant manager in Norwich on July 22.Norwich Magistrates' Court has now heard how police were called to the restaurant, where he was also found to be possessing the Class A drug.Stuart Cowen, prosecuting, told how restaurant staff had attempted to restrain the ex-bodybuilder businessman when he lashed out.While Mendham was being removed after being arrested, police officers noticed a small plastic bag containing white powder falling to the floor.Mendham, from Cringleford, Norfolk, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and assault.David Foulkes, defending, said Mendham had been dining alone when he became aggrieved over what he 'felt was poor service'.Assistant manager Connor Humpleby was struck with a 'single blow' after he tried to intervene during Mendham's argument with staff. Ross Mendham, who won investment for his food business on Dragons' Den in 2013 (pictured), has been fined for possessing cocaine after attacking an Ivy restaurant manager Mendham won £60,000 investment on Dragons' Den from entrepreneur 'Dragon' Peter Jones for the instant noodle and pasta venture Barenaked Foods Norwich Magistrates' Court heard that Mendham (pictured) punched a member of staff at the Ivy restaurant in Norwich on July 22 after complaining about what he 'felt was poor service'Mr Foulkes added: 'He is very sorry to the person he struck.'Magistrates fined Mendham £373 and ordered he pay £282 costs.Mendham appeared on BBC show Dragons' Den in 2013 when he successfully got a £60,000 investment from entrepreneur 'Dragon' Peter Jones for the instant noodle and pasta venture Barenaked Foods.The idea behind the firm was to make low calorie and low carbohydrate pasta, rice and noodles from konjac plants.Mendham's products went on to be sold in various supermarkets including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons. The court was told he still earns thousands every month from being a director of the firm, although he is no longer involved in running it.Last year Mendham, son of former Norwich City footballer Peter Mendham, launched a fashion brand called God of Design that upcycles vintage and designer clothing. Mendham was a passenger when his £100,000 Ferrari F430 spun out of control and crashed on Rose Lane in Norwich city centre in March last year.Joey Baptiste, who was at the wheel, was fined in February this year after admitting careless driving but kept his driving licence despite having totted up 13 points.A witness described how Baptiste accelerated and 'lost control of the back end of the car' before he collided with the bike racks. Neither of the occupants were injured.
