A MAN who launched an unprovoked assault at a McDonald's restaurant thought he was "dispensing relationship advice", a court heard today.
Daniel Shields was given 18 months probation for an attack carried out after drinking a bottle of whisky.
The 37-year-old, of Springfield Road in Belfast, admitted disorderly behaviour and common assault.
The city's Magistrates Court heard he shouted and swore at people in McDonald's at Connswater Retail Park, east Belfast on March 29.
Shields was also said to have assaulted another man attending the restaurant.
Following his arrest he told police he had no recollection of the events.
A defence lawyer described it as a bizarre and unprovoked attack on another member of the public.
Amid alcohol problems which were at "crisis level", Shields had drunk a bottle of whisky on the day.
"He perceived a problem between two people in McDonald's and he was in some way thinking that he was going to dispense relationship advice," the solicitor said.
"It escalated quite quickly, he has no memory of the matter at all. He's mortified."
Based on the guilty pleas, District Judge Fiona Bagnall agreed to impose a probation order for 18 months.
