Man broke into café and threatened owner with knife

Chee Wong broke the front window of a Staithes café and picked up a knife when he was told to "get out"

A man who smashed his way inside a seaside café and threatened its owner with a kitchen knife has been sentenced.

Chee Wong broke the front window of Coastal Kitchen in Staithes with a chair and picked up the knife when he was told to "get out".

At York Crown Court, Wong, 53, of no fixed abode, was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to affray and criminal damage.

Judge Simon Hickey told him that although nobody was injured during the incident, he had caused "more than one person severe stress or anxiety".

The court heard a resident saw Wong breaking in and immediately contacted the café owner.

When the owner arrived, Wong came towards him "using a stabbing motion", the hearing was told.

Barrister David Hall, defending Wong, said he had been suffering from a psychotic episode at the time and had broken in due to hunger.

His client moved to the UK for work in 2007 and worked in various kitchens around the UK, the court heard.

He had been let go from his latest job and had moved to Middlesbrough to live with a friend before moving on, Mr Hall said.

Judge Hickey said: "You got on the first bus you could find and got off at the last stop before breaking into the café looking for food."

The judge noted his life had "changed radically" from a year ago as he had a home and was taking regular medication.

Judge Hickey also noted that "no violence was actually used or injury caused and you were compliant with police".

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