Man broke McDonald’s door to get to the toilet

A MAN who broke a door at a fastfood outlet in the middle of the night was trying to get in to use the toilet, a court has heard.

Dean Byers was sentenced to 125 hours of community service for kicking in the entrance to the McDonald’s restaurant in Belfast city centre.

The 20-year-old, who has had therapy to control his temper, was warned any further episodes could result in imprisonment.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall said: “I don’t think the anger management did him a lot of good, from the circumstances of this case.”

Byers, of Margaretta Crescent in Dunmurry, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard he appeared outside McDonald’s at around 5am on November 28 and started banging to be let in. On being told he couldn’t enter Byers started kicking at the entrance.

A prosecution lawyer confirmed the glass door was smashed, but did not disclose the cost of repairs.

Defence solicitor Paul McCrudden said his client had been drinking and was remorseful.

“He was trying to get into McDonald’s to use the toilets,” Mr McCrudden addedd.

The court also heard Byers was the victim of an unrelated knife attack in which he nearly lost a number of fingers.

Despite the injuries to his hand, Byers confirmed that he can still carry out some work duties.

Imposing the community service order, Judge Bagnall said: “Let’s see how you get on, because the alternative is custody.”