Paranoid man armed with metal pole in McDonald’s Tasered TWICE by police
A MAN who was convinced people were trying to attack him went into a Loughborough branch of McDonalds with a metal pole.
Jordan West, who had taken “a number of drugs” ended up in the kitchen area of the fast-food restaurant before leaving out of the drivethru window.
Police tried to detain the 31-yearold from Beeston in Nottingham and ended up Tasering him.
Witnesses said West was looking over his shoulder during the several minutes he spent in McDonald but there was no evidence that he was actually being followed.
The incident happened 15 months ago in the McDonalds in Epinal Way, Loughborough.
Victoria Rose, prosecuting the case at Leicester Crown Court, said one of the officers suffered a back injury, a cut finger, a grazed knee and was bitten over his jacket when tackling the defendant, who also spat on him.
The officer pressed the panic button to summon assistance and his harrowing plea for help was also heard over the radio by his pregnant wife, also a serving officer.
Miss Rose said that when interviewed, 31-year-old West had little recollection of the events because he had been drinking and taken “a number of drugs.”
He said he was in fear of being attacked by other people who he thought were “after him.”
West, of Vernon Avenue, Beeston, admitted possessing an offensive weapon, affray and assaulting an emergency worker.
Sentencing, Recorder Francesca Levett said: “You have previous convictions for possessing a bladed article and also having an offensive weapon.
“I know this offence took place 15 months ago, but you caused fear and distress to people close by and staff in the kitchen were clearly fearful and made efforts to keep away from you.
“You left McDonald’s by climbing through the drive-through window causing alarm to customers [in vehicles].
“The police arrived and they used a Taser [twice] when you ran towards one of them. You spat on his jacket, tried to punch him, bit him and he suffered injuries.
“His police officer wife, who was expecting a baby, heard his call for help over the radio which must have been distressing.
“You couldn’t be sure whether the threat you spoke of was real or imagined and you appeared to be looking for someone.
“Your consumption of drink and drugs contributed to the threat you perceived. You have since sought psychiatric help, gained employment and been supportive to family members during the pandemic. The only way your offending is going to cease is if you remain in sobriety.
“I accept your remorse is genuine and you haven’t offended in the meantime and you’ve made positive steps to keep yourself sober and off drugs.”
On hearing the sentence was going to be suspended, West sobbed loudly with relief and said: “I will grab the opportunity with both hands, thank you.”
Recorder Levett said: “You’re free to go, keep up with the good work.”
Nicola Hunter, mitigating, said West had been sober and drug-free for the last eight months and had completely turned his life around for the better.
She said he had armed himself with a metal vacuum cleaner pole when intoxicated but had “no intent” to harm anyone and was “deeply apologetic” afterwards.
West was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement.