TWO drunk men who helped remove a duck from a Chester McDonald's branch were later arrested for continually swearing at police officers.

Lee Gaudoin, 31, of Coniston Close, Connah's Quay, had gone with Neil Edwards-Cecil, of Heol y Waen, Bradley, Wrexham, to Chester on April 27 to celebrate the latter's 40th birthday.

Edwards-Cecil went into the McDonald's branch on Foregate Street to get a cheeseburger, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, May 17.

But after successfully removing the duck from the restaurant, the situation escalated into a large disturbance.

Both pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to abusive behaviour and resisting a constable and were each given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Prosecuting, Natalie Cassidy said police were called and one of the McDonald's staff members said the two defendants were causing issues and had asked for them to be removed.

Gaudoin was loudly talking about "how he had saved a duck", while swearing.

Police continually warned both Gaudoin and Edwards-Cecil not to swear, while Gaudoin tried to grab one of the officer's stab vests. Both smelt strongly of intoxicants.

Police then went to arrest Gaudoin but he resisted, kicking out while lying on the floor, and officers used a short burst of captor spray on his face.

Edwards-Cecil was told to get away from the scene after he pushed past two officers as he noticed his friend was being restrained.

He said: "I have done nothing wrong, you have chucked my f***ing mate on the floor."

One officer warned him: "Swear one more time and you are being locked up," to which Edwards-Cecil replied: "I don't give a s***."

Edwards-Cecil also resisted arrest and a member of the public helped restrain him, while captor spray was also used.

Miss Cassidy added Gaudoin was of previous good character, while Edwards-Cecil had one conviction for drink-driving from 14 years ago.

Adam Antoszkiw, defending Gaudoin, said the incident was "completely stupid" and out of character for the defendant.

He said: "He goes into McDonald's and there is a duck in there but for whatever reason he gets very aerated."

Mr Antoszkiw added Gaudoin was in full-time employment as a mechanic, lived a quiet life on his own with a dog, but on this occasion alcohol got the better of him in what was "very much an isolated incident".

Edwards-Cecil, defending himself, said: "I just want to apologise for my behaviour. I had gone out for my 40th birthday, gone to McDonald's to get some food and there was a duck.

"I don't know how it escalated from there.

"To be honest I am ashamed for the way I have acted."

Edwards-Cecil added he could now lose his job ad a mechanic MOTist.

He said: "This will never happen again, I am not like this."

As well as the conditional discharge, both defendants must each pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Chair of magistrates Fiona Crane told them: "I hope this has been a lesson to you."