A YOUTH who terrorised staff at the McDonalds restaurants in Lavington and Albury on successive days at the weekend has been banned from all the company’s fast food outlets in NSW and Victoria.
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That was one of the bail conditions imposed yesterday when the youth appeared in custody in Albury Children’s Court.
He was released on bail by magistrate Tony Murray with a nightly curfew after going to McDonalds to cause problems.
The youth, 17, went to the Lavington restaurant in Wagga Road about 11pm on Saturday and was asked to leave due to his behaviour.
Mr Murray was told in tendered police facts that he pushed food into the face of one employee.
Three McDonald’s staff members were punched by the youth with one losing his footing and falling to the floor where he was repeatedly punched.
The youth used an ash-tray to smash a window at the restaurant.
Police arrested him in Griffith Road a short time later and formed the opinion the youth may have been affected by drugs.
He was released into his mother’s custody to live at her Lavington home.
But the youth went to the Albury restaurant about 10.20pm on Sunday, ordered a Big Mac deal and told a staff member to put it on his tab.
The manager told him the restaurant did not have tabs and the youth said: “I just want a free burger”.
He was told that would not happen and asked: “If I break a window, will you give me a free feed?”.
The manager said no and the youth punched a four-metre by four-metre window.
“I’m homeless. I just wanted a burger,” the youth said.
He was arrested, taken to the police station and yesterday morning punched a police officer.
The officer suffered swelling and bruising below his left eye.
The youth has been charged with three counts of assault, two counts of damaging property, intimidation, assaulting police and shoplifting.
Mr Murray questioned whether the youth had any mental health issues and was told he didn’t.
“This is just incredibly bad behaviour,” Mr Murray said.
The assault of the police officer has been captured on closed circuit footage.
Police opposed bail, but Mr Murray released the youth on strict conditions with the charges adjourned until next week for mention.
