Man handed suspended sentence after abusing staff and damaging property at Indian restaurant

The Portsmouth News reports on the sentencing of a drunk driver who racially abused a waiter in an Indian restaurant before speeding off and driving the wrong way round a roundabout and part of the M275 last July.

Jake McElvenny, 23, was arrested by police after the incident which happened on 7 July 2015.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard that McElvenny was meeting up with friends at the Aubergine Indian restaurant in Southsea last July. During the evening his mood changed and McElvenny punched the table, up-ended it and smashed everything that lay on the table. When the restaurant waiter, Shamsul Khan, ordered McElvenny to pay for his meal and the damage to property, McElvenny used racially abusive language towards him.

Police were called to the restaurant but McElvenny drove off in his car. He seemed to pull over at one stage but as an officer approached his car, he sped off driving the wrong way round a roundabout and sections of the M275.

McElvenny pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, criminal damage, racially aggravated abuse, failing to give information to police and drink-driving.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court handed him a 120-day prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to pay £155 compensation to Aubergine and has been banned from driving for 18 months.