A DRUG dealer who tried to rob a KFC employee after he finished his shift has been jailed.

Dane Bradley, from Latchford, attacked the fast food worker outside the Kingsway South restaurant when he clocked off shortly before midnight.

Chester Crown Court heard last week that the 21-year-old ran up to his victim and repeatedly punched him in the face at around 11.45pm on Saturday, December 8 2018, and demanded that he transfer money to him using his phone.

Bradley, of Kingsway South, claimed the KFC worker owed him money – repeatedly harassing him with phone calls and attending him workplace.

Warrington Guardian:

KFC on Kingsway South - picture by Google Maps

The 21-year-old victim, who suffered facial injuries during the incident and was rushed to hospital, refused to hand over any money and Bradley fled after his co-workers called the police.

He went into hiding after the attack, failing to attend probation and court appointments, and was only traced by police more than six months later when officers stopped a vehicle he was travelling in on Lythgoes Lane in July.

Bradley admitted assault with intent to commit a robbery on Thursday, November 28, and was handed two years and 11 months behind bars.

Judge Steven Everett also activated a suspended eight-month prison sentence he had received in September 2018 for possession of cannabis with intent to supply – resulting in total jail time of three years and seven months.

Detective constable Rob Thorpe said: “I am pleased that Bradley is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.

“Bradley repeatedly called the victim to demand money he claimed to be owed.

“He then went to the victim’s workplace on a number of occasions to demand money from him.

“Adamant that he did not owe Bradley anything, the victim refused to hand over any cash.

“Then, on Saturday December 8 2018, Bradley viciously assaulted the victim and attempted to force him to transfer money.

“Thankfully the victim did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of the assault, although he has suffered significant upheaval to his life as a result of Bradley attempting to evade justice.

“The consequences of the incident could have been far worse, and I hope that the victim can move forward with his life now that Bradley has been convicted of the offence.

“I also hope that Bradley, who is only 21, reflects on his life choices while serving his prison sentence and changes his ways.”

Bradley was also handed a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim and a witness for the next five years and told to pay a £170 victim surcharge.