A YOUNG woman is awaiting her sentence today after she abused a member of staff at an Ipswich fast food restaurant and spat in his face, a court heard.

A YOUNG woman is awaiting her sentence today after she abused a member of staff at an Ipswich fast food restaurant and spat in his face, a court heard.

The McDonald's employee was helping train another staff member when Kelsey Smith walked into the Tavern Street restaurant and started being confrontational.

Smith, 22, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to common assault at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

The court heard how Smith went up to the counter on September 6 and said: “Oi, give me a double cheese”. The staff member explained he was busy serving a customer but she continued being abusive and when he told her to calm down, she declared: “I'm from Liverpool and I will calm down when I want to”.

After threatening to “reshape his nose”, she then spat at him, and went over to a nearby table to speak to a group of boys, the court heard.

He told her to leave the premises but when she gave him more abuse, the police were called.

In a police interview, Smith claimed she was drunk.

Mitigating, Ian Duckworth, told the court that she has distanced herself from those who have been a bad influence on her in the past.

He said: “She has one night a week at Suffolk College doing a sign language course. She also does voluntary work.

“She is extremely apologetic. She hasn't been drinking that much lately but on this occasion, she had far too much.”

Her case was adjourned until Monday for a fast-delivery probation report to be prepared. She was released on unconditional bail.

Is enough being done to curb binge drinking in the town? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.