A 21-YEAR-OLD man 'went berserk' in a Blackburn takeaway and pelted customers and staff with salt shakers, vinegar dispensers, sauce bottles and a can of cola, a court heard.

But defence solicitor Daniel King said drink had made Paul McPhee behave out of character and he had since apologised to the shop owner and paid full compensation for the damage he caused.

McPhee, 21, of Sussex Drive, Blackburn, had previously been convicted in his absence of affray and criminal damage. He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months by Blackburn magistrates, with a condition that he attends the Think First programme, and ordered to pay £150 costs.

Edddie Harrison, prosecuting, said the incident took place in the Oasis takeaway. There were about 20 people in the premises when McPhee asked the manager for a can of cola which he then threw with force at a group of two girls and a man. He then started taking the condiments off the counter and throwing them at people in the shop.

"The manager describes McPhee as going berserk," said Mr Harrison. "He picked up a litter bin and threw it over the counter and then kicked the glass display counter causing it to break."

He said another witness said McPhee threw food at her and her friends before punching another male. "She said he seemed deranged," said Mr Harrison. He said that when police arrived McPhee told them: "If you don't watch it I'm going to explode."

Mr King said McPhee had been to a christening and had drunk far more than he was used to. "He could remember very little of what happened but, to his credit, he had paid for the damage and apologised."