Two friends stole a bike after being kicked out of a Leicestershire McDonald's restaurant. Jason James and his friend had had a day of drinking prior to the bike being taken.

James and his friend, who he used to share a house with in Coalville, had not seen each other since 2023 and spent most of the day drinking as a catch-up. They ended up in the Adcock Road branch of McDonald's, where they were joined by a 15-year-old boy who was a friend of James' friend. The boy's behaviour led to the three being kicked out of the fast food restaurant.

It was then in the early hours of Sunday, March 23 that they went over to a bike chained up outside the McDonalds. James smashed the lock and the three walked off with the £350 bike, but its owner, who worked at the Costa Coffee outlet in Adcock Road, chased after them.

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James and the two others shouted threats at the bike owner before he then called Leicestershire Police. The bike was later found abandoned in a bush and the front brakes had been damaged.

James and the others were arrested and held in a police cell overnight. James admitted to the theft in interview, saying he broke the lock and the 15-year-old boy - who has already been dealt with by the courts - took the bike.

At Leicester Magistrates' Court on Thursday (April 10) James pleaded guilty to the theft. The 32-year-old, of River View, Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, represented himself in court.

He said: "It wasn't planned or anything. We used to live in a shared house in Charles Street and I hadn't seen him since 2023. We was drinking and one thing led to another and before you know it we're locked up."

James was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the owner of the damaged bike and a £26 victim surcharge.

He thanked the magistrates and told them: "I promise I'll keep out of trouble."