A teenager armed with a knife repeatedly lunged at a restaurant doorman in front of terrified customers.
Corie Ruddy took exception when he was asked to leave the Northumberland Street branch of McDonald's, in Newcastle City Centre, and quickly turned aggressive. But the 18-year-old's behaviour soon escalated and turned more sinister when he pulled out a blade, court was told.
In front of shocked customers, the brute, who has past convictions for possessing weapons, repeatedly lunged at the security guard, who was forced to leap backwards on a number of occasions. CCTV footage showed the whole horrifying incident, which saw customers standing back and the brave doorman having to push Ruddy out the store and close the door.
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The teenager, of Denton Road, in Scotswood, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on bail on Wednesday but was immediately remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to threatening a person with a blade in a public place.
Saba Shan, prosecuting, said an argument broke out between Ruddy and the victim at the entrance of McDonald's on July 18 this year. She added: "CCTV footage of the incident is very compelling. This defendant lunged at the doorman several times with a knife.
"A number of people are present - the store is quite busy. The victim runs back into the store and manages to close the door, preventing the defendant from entering any further. On that basis, I would say that this should be committed to the crown court."
The court heard that Ruddy had one past conviction each for possessing a knife and possessing an offensive weapon from July and August 2020 respectively, as well as convictions for violence.
Adam Scott, defending, said the incident had been a "wake-up" call for the teenager. He added: "His mother says that, since this happened, has has severed ties with people who he was hanging around with. He has not been out the house except to the local working mans' club, where his mother works."
Remanding Ruddy in custody and committing him to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence, District Judge Kate Meek said: "It's a knife and your using it in circumstances where it is a prolonged incident that causes serious alarm or distress to that security guard and others.
"It's all caught on, quite a long, video. You come back time-and-time again and lunge at the doorman. You ran into the store. The video shows people having to move out of your way and stand back. You have two convictions for possession of a knife of possession of a weapon. The court needs to prevent you causing a serious risk to the members of the public."
Ruddy was remanded in custody to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 14.
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