Within hours of being released from jail a 30-year-old Bangor man created a rumpus in the KFC outlet in the city’s main street, upsetting two women assistants.

Gethin Owen hurled straws and cupholders over the counter and tried to get behind it, magistrates were told at a weekend court at Llandudno.

Defence solicitor Sion Hughes said: “It’s one of those cases which are particularly sad. The offences are as a result of someone struggling to survive. He had £2 to buy something to eat, requested a drink and frustration turned to anger. He apologises.”

Nia Lloyd, prosecuting, said Owen had 47 previous offences of theft. Owen pleaded guilty to causing alarm or distress, stealing a bottle of Coke from KFC, breaching a conditional discharge and to two cases of attempted theft.

Jailing him fort six weeks, court chairman Duncan Stewart said the sentence was for causing alarm and distress, with no separate penalty for the other charges, but a £150 surcharge must be paid. No compensation was awarded because there was no possibility of him being able to pay.