A man who ripped two McDonald’s tills out and assaulted the store manager after he was refused service has been convicted after a trial at Croydon Crown Court.
On November 1, 2019, at around 3.30pm staff inside Camberwell’s McDonald’s refused to service 50-year-old David King, from Lambeth, after he was seen drinking alcohol inside the restaurant.
The court heard that although the manager agreed to take the order as long as King took his food outside, King became irate and poured his drink all over the floor before shouting, throwing popcorn across the counter and ripping two electronic till screens off their fixtures, all captured on CCTV.
He caused around £1,000 of damage before being arrested and forced the shop to close during one of its busiest periods.
King also assaulted the terrified store manager before officers arrived, pushing him in the chest as he blocked King from getting behind the counter. In evidence given during the trial, the manager said he had been particularly afraid as he was pushed toward deep fat fryers with oil at 178 degrees.
Last Thursday, April 15, King was convicted of criminal damage and common assault by beating following a trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. He will be sentenced at the same court on May 10.
Carol Udenze, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “King was drinking alcohol, his behaviour was unacceptable and disrupted the McDonald’s restaurant’s many visitors and staff.
“During the trial, the prosecution was able to present CCTV evidence of the criminal damage and assault of the manager alongside his strong witness testimony.
“We hope this prosecution deters destructive behaviour on our high streets in the knowledge that the CPS will prosecute individuals where there is appropriate evidence.”