A plasterer’s decision to storm out of a curry house after threatening the manager then shout abuse at children in a park several months later was branded ‘unacceptable’.

Leigh Clarke, 30, was jailed for seven months at Oxford Crown Court earlier this month, as reported in the Oxford Mail.

The court heard he left the Aangon restaurant in Carterton without paying for his £69 meal in June 2021 – and brandished a fork as he threatened the curry house’s manager.

On August 16 and just days after he was given a six-month suspended sentence by an Oxford judge, he was drunkenly shouting at children in a park off Moorland Road, Witney, then threatened a mum trying to get her children back in her car.

READ MORE: Judge loses patience after latest offences

Now, Thames Valley Police has welcomed the custodial sentence.

PC Sarah Finch, based at Witney police station, said: “Clarke’s actions were unacceptable and I hope this conviction shows we will not accept this behaviour on our patch.

“I hope Clarke now spends his time in prison to reflect upon the serious nature of his crimes.”

Judge Nigel Daly, who activated part of the earlier suspended sentence imposed for assault and witness intimidation and added three months for the new offences, told Clarke: “When this court gives a suspended sentence it means it.”

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward