A "COMPLETE public nuisance" has been jailed after he punched and broke a protective screen at a Flintshire takeaway.

Scott Ryan Simmonds, of Hoole Road in Chester, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Friday for sentence.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, said the 31-year-old had gone to Hot Stuff Chinese Takeaway in Connah's Quay High Street on the evening of February 4.

He claimed he was there to collect food after his girlfriend had placed an order and paid.

Staff told him no such order had been made, after which he became argumentative.

The manager approached the protective screen to speak with him and Simmonds invited him to come out, which he denied because of his aggressive behaviour.

Simmonds left the premises, hurling racial abuse from outside.

He then returned inside and punched the protective perspex screen, which split and fell off, before giving more racial abuse and walking away.

The police were called and Simmonds was recognised on CCTV footage.

He was arrested later that evening and gave no comment at interview.

Mr Scholz said the incident constituted a breach of a criminal behaviour order - which he was made the subject of in 2018 for his 23rd offence of criminal damage.

It also placed him in breach of a suspended sentence.

Andrew Green, defending, said: "I suggest this is an impulsive offence - he says he knows he needs proper medication. "In his words, he was self medicating with alcohol. "He needs to deal with his use of alcohol."

Judge David Hale said: "In the last couple of years, you have been more than a complete public nuisance.

"You have not contributed anything to society - You have got drunk and caused trouble.

"I am sure you recognise that yourself. "It's no future for you. I hope you're right that you're coming to your senses.

"[This was] quite intolerable conduct towards this Chinese restaurant.

"They are open during the pandemic, they are providing a public service and you go and damage their screen."

Judge Hale handed him a seven month custodial sentence for the racially aggravated damage and 12 months concurrent for the breach of the behaviour order.

He activated the six month suspended sentence and ordered Simmonds to serve it consecutively - making a total jail term of 18 months.

Simmonds was ordered not to enter Hot Stuff Chinese Takeaway until further order.