A breakfast barney over a missing hash brown at McDonald’s has cost a man £500.

Marc Thomas Duncan grabbed a cutlery holder at the drive-through window and threw it at the staff member, with it hitting him in the head, after finding he was short of the potato favourite.

The 34-year-old also stole fuel twice from a garage as well as tobacco during a mini crime spree over three days.

In court he pleaded guilty to common assault and three counts of theft.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks fined Duncan £500 for the assault and £100 for each of the thefts, bringing his total fines to £800.

The self-employed joiner was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the McDonald’s worker and £135.65 for the fuel and tobacco.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that on June 5 at 1.30pm Duncan, who lives at Ballaughton Lane in Douglas, drove his Ford Transit van to Spar in Ballasalla and filled it with fuel worth £50 before driving off without paying.

On June 6, he went to Spar in Colby where he asked for tobacco and a lighter, costing £18.98.

When the shop assistant handed it over Duncan walked out without paying.

Staff went after him and challenged him but he got in his car and drove away.

On June 7 Duncan went to McDonald’s drive-through and got into an argument over a hash brown he said was missing.

Duncan said ’get me my ****ing hash brown’ before reaching in through the window and grabbing a cutlery holder which he then threw at the staff member with it hitting him in the head.

Later that day Duncan drove to Spar in Ballasalla and filled his car up with £66 worth of fuel and again left without paying.

He was arrested and admitted all the offences saying he had been ’reckless’ and not in the right state of mind.

Duncan said he had been low on fuel and wanted to go for a drive as he had difficulties with his mental health.

Of the tobacco offence he said he had run out and didn’t know where his bank card was.

Asked about the assault he said he had gone to McDonald’s for breakfast previously, then returned after finding the hash brown was missing.

A probation report said that Duncan was very low in mood at the time of the offences and not thinking rationally but was now involved with relevant professionals.

Defence advocate David Clegg said that his client had been involved in a traffic accident a few days later which perhaps indicated the state of his mental health at the time.

The advocate asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty pleas.

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks also ordered Duncan to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay all amounts at a rate of £25 per week.