A Tenby man with a history of offending who climbed into the kitchen area of a fas-food restuarant to steal some fries has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Twenty-five-year-old Cheyne Lloyd-Neal, formerly of Upper Frog Street, Tenby, and now of no fixed abode, was charged with theft and assault by beating when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday to admit the offences.

The offences took place in Princes Way and Oxford Street in Swansea on November 20.

Mr. Lloyd-Neal was also brought before the court for failing to comply with the requirements of a community order.

He was accused of not attending appointments on July 26 and November 4.

Prosecutor, Linda Baker told the court that at 1.50 am on November 20, the defendant entered the McDonalds restaurant in Oxford Street after a night out drinking, where he started shouting abusive language at staff and was quite agitated.

The management could see what was happening and called assistance.

However, the defendant was still in the customer waiting area.

It was here that Mr. Lloyd-Neal climbed over the counter and went into the kitchen area where he stole £2.18 worth of fries.

Mr. Lloyd-Neal was eventually escorted out, but then committed an assault on a male before he was arrested.

Ms. Baker added that the defendant admitted the offences when he was interviewed by the police and that he vaguely remembered climbing over the counter.

Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates how Mr. Lloyd-Neal had also breached a community order he was subject to.

She said that the defendant was given the community order on July 17, 2019, when he was handed 75 hours of unpaid work and a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Ms. Norman said Mr. Lloyd-Neal, who had previous convictions, was also given a previous community order earlier this year.

The probation officer added that the defendant had not attended an unpaid work appointments since August and had not attended probation since October 22.

“If he can he find his way to Swansea to commit offences, then surely he can find his way to Tenby to attend unpaid work appointments,” she told the court.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that his client drank far too much that was good was him on the night in question.

He said that the defendant admitted the offences at the first opportunity, expressed remorse and apologised during the police interview.

Mr. Webb disputed claims by the prosecution that the defendant elbowed the gentleman as there were no injuries and no complaint was lodged.

“This was because the gentleman was pushed,” he told the bench.

Turning to the community order offence, Mr. Webb said his client’s attendance was very poor.

He added that he was disappointed to see the defendant back in court, but added that Mr. Lloyd-Neal was trying to deal with issues in the best way that he could.

Mr. Webb said his client’s employer who was sat in the public gallery for the hearing, was extremely impressed with him and had said that he was an asset to his company.

Magistrates were told the defendant’s employer would make sure that the unpaid work would be completed.

Mr. Webb said his client had the ability to change, but admitted that he had a degree of stupidity when it came to ignoring court orders.

He also told the court that the defendant needed help to channel his behaviour as he couldn’t carry on in the way that he had been.

“If he gets into trouble again, he’ll be going to jail and he’ll have nobody to blame but himself,” said Mr. Webb.

Magistrates handed the defendant an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

His original community order was revoked and the defendant was given a 12-month community order with 20 days RAR and 120 hours of unpaid work.

Mr. Lloyd-Neal was warned that if he breached his community order again that he would be going to jail.

The defendant was ordered to pay compensation of £2.18 to McDonalds in Swansea and £50 in compensation to the complainant that was assaulted.

He was also told to pay prosecution costs of £85 along with a victim surcharge of £122.