A MAN assaulted a McDonald’s customer by giving him a “clip” to the head as his victim waited for food.

Luke Cockburn had initially opted to take his case to trial despite his criminal contact with Ryan Robinson being caught on camera.

But at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, with Mr Robinson present in the building and preparing to give evidence, 32-year-old Cockburn changed his plea and admitted assault by beating.

It followed an incident on June 4 last year at around 7-15pm. It occurred, prosecutor George Shelley told the court, inside the Scotch Street McDonald’s restaurant in Carlisle city centre.

“There is no dispute there is some sort of incident preceding the (assault) incident for which Mr Cockburn is,before the court today,” said Mr Shelley.

“CCTV captures the incident where Mr Robinson is stood at the counter ordering food in company with a female. The defendant is then observed to walk approximately 10ft — five or six paces — towards him and with his right hand clips Mr Robinson to the right side of his face. Then he is removed by security.

“There is no injury. I have spoken to Mr Robinson. He describes it as a ‘clip’ to the side of his face.”

Mr Shelley added: “When he was interviewed in relation to this matter, Mr Cockburn, once he was shown the CCTV, actually admitted the offence but for reasons unknown he did not plead guilty and the case was stood down for trial.”

However, when Cockburn, of The Greens, Raughton Head, appeared in the dock he admitted assault by beating.

The court heard he had nine previous convictions for 18 offences, and was last sentenced during May, 2022, for a common assault he committed earlier in the year.

After hearing submissions from defence solicitor Andrew Gurney, District Judge John Temperley adjourned the case.

Cockburn is due to return to court on February 6, and in the meantime was granted unconditional bail by the district judge.