Abusive drunk terrifies attendant

Keegan Desmond Shone, 24, was fined $250 and ordered to pay court costs of $130 after pleading guilty to threatening to "strangle, choke, stab and rape" a male forecourt attendant.

Customer convicted and fined for verbal tirade at station

Heavily intoxicated and unhappy with the food in the hot food cabinet at a Masterton service station, Keegan Desmond Shone threatened to "strangle, choke, stab and rape" the attendant.

Appearing before Judge Tony Walsh in Masterton District Court on Thursday, the 24-year-old of Masterton pleaded guilty to a charge of speaking threateningly.

Following the guilty plea, Shone told Judge Walsh he was "disgusted" by the words he used.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said just before 4am on Saturday May 3, a very intoxicated Shone went to the Gull petrol station on Chapel St and, taking offence to the food on display, he verbally abused the male attendant on duty, leaving the victim frightened and fearful.

"He said the food looked disgusting and that it looked like it had been there for ages."

Refusing to accept the attendant's word that the food had only just been put in the cabinet, Shone called him a "fag" and was asked to leave the store, Mr Wilson said.

"He continued to verbally threaten the victim, saying that he was in a gang and would 'get his prospects to beat him up'," he said.

"He went on to say that he'd strangle, choke, stab and rape the victim and that he'd be coming back for the victim after he finished his shift ... he was made to feel very frightened."

Police arrested Shone a short time later, still intoxicated and "extremely abusive".

Defence lawyer Virginia Pearson said her client didn't normally drink alcohol and had little memory of the incident.

"He is incredibly embarrassed ... he's very remorseful for what happened that night," she said.

Judge Walsh said it was clear Shone was heavily drunk at the time but the victim had been left "frightened and upset" by Shone's actions.

"You have little recall but you are right, the words were disgusting."

He convicted Shone on the charge and fined him $250 and ordered he pay $130 court costs.