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A man seen slapping a bubble tea worker in footage that shocked Australia said he did so on the misunderstanding that she was complaining about him and his family, and that he knew nothing of the worker's grossly unfair work conditions which was the real subject of her complaint.
Lei Guo, 39, entered a guilty plea in June to one count of basic assault stemming from the incident on January 29 this year at the Fun Tea store in Adelaide's CBD.
Mr Guo appeared on Friday for a sentencing submission at the Adelaide Magistrates court and his lawyer Martin Anders used the hearing to explain what lay behind the incident.
Mr Anders claimed his client, who was stressed from running a Barossa Valley vineyard and his building company had gone to the store to donate some children's books - which patrons can use - and was offered free desserts as thanks.
Mr Guo had previously done some renovation work at the shop prior to its opening but did not know the staff.
At the shop they were served by the female victim, an employee and claimed she was 'abrupt and rude' towards him and his family.
The female staff member then got into an argument with the store owner, as she was not being properly paid, but Mr Guo was under the impression she was complaining to the owner about him.
It was then that Mr Guo slapped the woman forcefully across the face, as
