Peeved traveller thought Derbyshire McDonald’s staff “spat” in his food, court hears

A disgruntled fastfood fan told a judge he brandished a broken bottle at Derbyshire McDonald’s staff when he “noticed saliva” in his mouth - believing they had “spat” in his food.
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Jason Lowther, 36, waved the jagged glass at the restaurant manager and another staff member, saying “I’m going to smash your face with this glass, I’m a traveller”.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard after threatening the workers on August 17 Lowther turned around and announced “don’t eat in here - they spit in your food”.

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He was arrested an hour after the incident at the Matlock McDonald’s branch with the broken bottle.

Jason Lowther told a judge he believed staff "spat" in his food because he was a travellerJason Lowther told a judge he believed staff "spat" in his food because he was a traveller
Jason Lowther told a judge he believed staff "spat" in his food because he was a traveller

Lowther, who has six previous convictions for 13 offences and had no legal representation, told a judge he “noticed saliva in my mouth” while eating his “Chicken Mac Meal” outside.

He added: “I know what she did was bad but I shouldn’t have threatened her.”

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District Judge Andrew Davison asked Lowther “what real evidence” he had to suspect staff had spat in his food and “it could have been your own saliva couldn’t it?”

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However he replied: “I thought she spat in my food because I’m from the travelling community - there’s a lot of racism towards the travelling community.”

Lowther, of Sutton Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire admitted threatening behaviour.

Judge Davison told him: “This is a somewhat bizarre case - I’ve not heard anything quite like this before.

“This is a very serious allegation and I do not believe it happened.

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"There’s a fear factor which must have been significant for two people doing their jobs.”

He was fined £300, ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £34 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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