AN OSWESTRY man who threatened a fast-food worker with learning disabilities has been given a conditional discharge.

Dylan Brady, 25, and of College Road, was given an 18-month discharge – reduced from 24 months after his guilty plea – at Telford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (May 9) for a charge of using threatening and abusive words.

The court heard that on February 21 this year, Brady was the KFC store in Mile End to speak with the branch manager about what he alleged was the bullying of his girlfriend by the victim.

He admitted to shouting that he was going to 'smash his head in’ when the victim came into his view, but magistrates accepted that he was ‘deeply sorry’ for his behaviour.

According to the prosecution, the victim has Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD and autism, and he told the court via an impact statement that his Asperger's had been affected by the incident.

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The court also heard that since the incident, he has struggled to leave his home and has now begun to take taxis to and from work, which he says has increased his living costs.

The victim also told the court via the statement that he also has his prescriptions delivered in order to limit the need to leave his home.

The prosecution also told magistrates that the victim has lost around five hours of work a week because of rota changes to enable him to feel safe.

In mitigation, the court heard that Brady also suffered with mental health issues and that he entered the KFC ‘with good intentions’ of standing up for his girlfriend who had returned home complaining that she had been bullied.

Magistrates were told that he apologised for his behaviour in a police interview, with no legal support, and is supported by family members.

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Sentencing Brady, magistrates told him that they believed what he had said and welcomed his ‘obvious remorse’ for the incident but added that the incident ‘was not pleasant’.

Brady was given an 18-month conditional discharge, reduced from 24 months, and was ordered to pay costs of £135, plus a further £26 victim surcharge.

No compensation was ordered.