Thug beat up McDonald's manager in store because his 'chicken nuggets weren't cooked properly'
Karl Hughes has been jailed for 16 months
Thomas MolloyBolton and Bury reporter
Karl Hughes, who has been jailed for affray and a number of assaults (Image: GMP)
A man attacked a member of staff and a customer in McDonald's because his 'food wasn't cooked' properly.
Karl Hughes, 34, visited McDonald's in Atherton and approached the counter to tell staff that that his chicken nuggets weren't cooked properly.
Hughes then 'squared up' to the manager and punched him in the face, before pulling his mask off.
After being escorted out, he punched the manager several more times to the face, shoulder and ribs.
Other staff members and a female customer then intervened. Hughes punched the customer in the face and pushed a 'Covid-isolation screen' towards her, causing a cut to her face.
Bolton Crown Court heard that the attack in the fast food chain happened a month after Hughes was released on bail for violently attacking two people.
Hughes first visited a man at his home in Atherton on the afternoon on September 16, who was watching TV with a friend in the living room while his four-year-old son played upstairs. After going to check on his son, he heard the front door open and close.
When he went back downstairs, Hughes was in the front room "jumping and screaming", according to prosecution barrister Michael Knowles.
Hughes left but he then turned back around and went back into the house, before grabbing the victim around the throat.
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Hughes was removed from the house again and picked up a child's scooter, before shouting: "I'm going to smash your windows and I'm going to kill you". Hughes then threw a toy car towards him but it missed.
Hughes was again escorted away and was said to be "shouting incomprehensibly" in the street.
A short time later, Hughes visited a woman at her home in a neighbouring street.
She was upstairs when Hughes arrived but she heard him shouting at her sister: "get me a f****** taxi now", followed by "you daft f****** b****, I'll boot you in the face".
Ms Shaw asked Hughes to leave and he called her a "stupid b****" as he made his way to her back garden.
He then got her dog in a headlock, before eventually letting go when she pleaded with him.
Hughes told her: "I don't f****** like you" and slapped her across the face with 'significant force'. He then kicked her in the back of her right leg.
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She shouted for her sister and he replied: "it's okay, I'm going to come back and smash your windows, you're a bunch of stupid s***s".
She described Hughes as having a 'manic' look throughout the incident, which has left her feeling anxious.
Police visited Hughes' home in West Bank Street, Atherton, at 5.45pm. He answered the door holding a spade in his right hand and was told to drop it by officers.
He was then arrested following a struggle and gave a 'no comment' interview.
The Atherton branch of McDonald's, where Karl Hughes went on a drunken rampage (Image: Google Maps)
Defending barrister Neil Ronan handed Judge Graeme Smith a letter written by Hughes and told the court that the defendant has had a 'traumatic' year, having lost his father and his dog.
"He is appalled by his behaviour," Mr Ronan said.
"He doesn't remember most of it and the less said the better about the ugly, mean-spirited, bully-boy behaviour.
"He is the primary carer for his now widowed mother and they together had a Jack Russell, which was an epicentre in their lives, when that was killed that has exacerbated a history of using alcohol and other substances.
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"He is taking positive steps on his own to address this behaviour because he is so mortified by what has happened when he was under the effect of drugs and drink."
Mr Ronan added that Hughes pleaded guilty to affray, three counts of assault, and threatening to destroy property at the first opportunity.
Sentencing Hughes to 16 months imprisonment, Judge Smith said: "These were both appalling, unacceptable incidents and it's accepted that you were, in your words, 'out of your mind' on Diazepam and drink.
"You had a very difficult year with much trauma. You dealt with it in this wholly inappropriate way
"It's impressive to see that you have taken very real steps to get help for the various aspects of your life that are out of control.
"It's very good to hear that you are planning to make a fresh start when you are released from custody."
Bolton Crown Court
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