Judge sentences woman to fast-food fix

Emily Russell was a store manager at an Ohio Chipotle restaurant when an irate customer hurled a chicken burrito bowl at her face. Now a judge has sentenced the customer to work at a fast-food job to avoid further jail time.

Rosemary Hayne, 39, was found guilty of one count of assault on November 28 after admitting to throwing the burrito bowl at Russell in September.

“This is not ‘Real Housewives of Parma’. This behavior is not acceptable,” Judge Timothy Gilligan, of Parma Municipal Court, said during sentencing. “You didn't get your burrito bowl the way you like it, and this is how you respond?”

Hayne’s behavior went viral in a video showing her screaming at Russell, 26, then grabbing her food and throwing it directly in Russell’s face.

At first, Hayne was slated to pay a fine and undergo a 180-day jail term, with 90 days suspended. However, Gilligan offered her a chance to reduce her sentence.

The judge presented her with an opportunity to cut her sentence by 60 days in exchange for consenting to work 20 hours per week at a fast-food restaurant for two months. Hayne agreed.

In the courtroom, Russell, the victim, told the judge the past two months had been the worst of her life. And she said she deals with the trauma of the incident daily.

The customer left with her food but returned a few minutes later. “She started screaming at me ... The next thing I knew she threw the food in my face. I was so embarrassed and in shock.”

She said the food was 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93C) because she had just made it and left her face burning red.

Russell said she had never experienced something so violent at work before. “I had to work with food in my face and hair for the next four hours after it happened because no-one was sent to relieve me.”

“The health and safety of our employees is our greatest priority, and we’re pleased to see justice served,” said Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs officer. The