A WOMAN who acted in a threatening manner in Mcdonald's in Warrington has been sentenced by the courts.

Ellie Woodward was also found to be in possession of a hammer during the incident in the town centre.

The 19-year-old was arrested and later charged with threatening behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

She appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 1, where she was told that she could be punished in the community.

Yvonne Dobson, representing the prosecution, told the court how the offences were committed on February 14.

At around 5.20pm officers from Cheshire Police were called to reports of a disturbance at McDonald’s on Bridge Street.

The caller reported that a group of girls were ‘making threats’ towards other teenagers at the restaurant.

Officers were deployed to the scene and arrested three local girls aged 15, 16 and 19.

According to the charge she admitted, Woodward used threatening, disorderly or abusive words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

She also, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had on her person in a public place an offensive weapon, namely a hammer.

Woodward, now of Bronte Grove in Dartford, Kent, pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced by deputy district judge Jane Hamilton.

She received a 12-month community order, including 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours of unpaid work in and for the benefit of the community.

The defendant must also pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £120 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £114.

In addition, the court approved an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the hammer.