A COUPLE who were visiting a McDonald’s restaurant in Penrith became verbally abusive when staff told them to leave because they were vaping.

As the incident escalated, 20-year-old Alicia Taylor spat into the face of one worker at the restaurant while 18-year-old Ellis Street-Clegg was seen “lunging towards” members of staff, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.

Both defendants admitted public order offences.

Taylor pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and a low-level assault while Street-Clegg admitted one threatening behaviour offence and three charges of disorderly behaviour.

Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.

He said the offences were committed on August 20 after the defendants visited the Ullswater Road branch of McDonald’s in Penrith, taking a seat by the window.

They were both vaping.

“Because of this, they were asked to leave by the staff,” said Mr Shelley. “This caused an escalation, with both defendants becoming verbally abusive.”

Taylor and Street-Clegg stood up, with the male defendant seen “lunging” at staff before turning his attention to customers.

“He started to shout towards member so the public,” continued the prosecutor. “At one point, during this phase of the incident, Mr Street-Clegg leaned towards the face of [a male member of staff].”

It was at this point that Taylor spat into the worker’s face. The entire incident was captured on the restaurant’s CCTV.

The court heard that Taylor has three offences on her record, the last one being possession of a class B drug. Street-Clegg’s has 13 previous offences, mostly from when he was a juvenile.

In court, the defendants said they were under the influence of alcohol.

“It shouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry,” said Taylor, who admitted feeling embarrassed as she listened to the prosecution outline.  Street-Clegg said he too regretted what happened.

Both are now working at a remote hotel in Wales.

A probation officer who interviewed the couple said they had expressed remorse and victim empathy. They were camping in the Penrith area and had been drinking all night.

They went into McDonald’s to charge their phones. When they were asked to leave the restaurant, the situation escalated.

They understood their behaviour left people in the immediate area frightened. Referring to Street-Clegg, the officer said he was in care since the age of seven and had gone through a traumatic upbringing.

Both defendants had now made a fresh start, living and working in a remote area of Wales in the hospitality industry. Their employer was putting them both through relevant qualifications.

Magistrates accepted the remorse expressed was genuine and that the defendants, formerly from Widnes, Cheshire, were turning their lives around and doing well at their jobs. Nevertheless, their behaviour had been frightening for people.

Taylor was fined £769, with £85 costs and a £308 victim surcharge, while Street-Clegg was fined £576, with £85 costs and a £230 surcharge.

“We hope your jobs continue safely and you get your NVQ [qualifications] and turn your lives around,” said the presiding magistrates.