A ROW over whether he had paid for burger and chips or just chips proved costly.

Blackburn magistrates heard Tony Giles threw his chips at staff in Roosters chicken takeaway in Darwen and as he left he kicked and cracked a window.

And the final bill for the food he didn't eat was £539.

Giles, 37, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a window belonging to Roosters and assaulting Chand Akhtar who was working in the takeaway. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £300 compensation, £85 costs and £34 victim surcharge.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Mr Akhtar was working in Roosters on Borough Road when Giles, who he said was drunk, came in and ordered a portion of chips.

"Once he was served he turned round and threw the chips at Mr Akhtar," said Mrs Mann. "He then picked up a hand sanitiser and threw that at him."

As Giles left staff decided to put the shutters down to protect the windows but before they could do so Giles kicked a window, causing a crack.

Damien Pickup, defending, said in 2009 his client was the victim of a brutal attack which left him with physical and mental injuries.

"He was left with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and in the last 12 years has been admitted to various mental health units on four occasions.

"His mother died in 2015 and his life spiralled out of control," said Mr Pickup. "Over the last three years he has kept himself to himself living a reclusive lifestyle and rarely going out."

Mr Pickup said Giles had been persuaded by a friend to go out and celebrate his birthday.

At some stage he got detached from his friends and decided to get some food and go home.

"An argument started over his order," said Mr Pickup.

"He says he paid for burger and chips and they only gave him chips. At one point there were four members of staff facing him and he felt the need to go on the offensive after his PTSD kicked in."