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| Northampton McDonald's ammonia attack 'chaos' described by officers | Northampton McDonald's ammonia attack 'chaos' described by officers |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Two police officers were among four people injured in an ammonia attack at a McDonald's restaurant, a jury has heard. | Two police officers were among four people injured in an ammonia attack at a McDonald's restaurant, a jury has heard. |
| Taishon Whittaker, 26, of Northampton, was allegedly involved in the "gang-related" attack at the branch in The Drapery in the town last 23 July. | Taishon Whittaker, 26, of Northampton, was allegedly involved in the "gang-related" attack at the branch in The Drapery in the town last 23 July. |
| He denies four charges of administering a poison or a noxious substance. | He denies four charges of administering a poison or a noxious substance. |
| PC Karen Canwell told Northampton Crown Court there was "utter chaos" when the substance was sprayed. | PC Karen Canwell told Northampton Crown Court there was "utter chaos" when the substance was sprayed. |
| "There were members of the public holding their faces," she said. | "There were members of the public holding their faces," she said. |
| 'I felt burning' | 'I felt burning' |
| The court was told Mr Whittaker attacked after his gang spotted a rival county gang. | The court was told Mr Whittaker attacked after his gang spotted a rival county gang. |
| PC Victoria Ballantyne said: "There were two groups shouting at each other, goading each other. I took hold of Taishon Whittaker and tried to pull him away. | PC Victoria Ballantyne said: "There were two groups shouting at each other, goading each other. I took hold of Taishon Whittaker and tried to pull him away. |
| "From my right side I saw someone moving very quickly with a clear plastic bottle and squeeze it. The liquid from the bottle squirted out and it struck the large gentleman I had hold of in the face. | |
| "I felt the burning sensation at the back of my throat. It was then I realised it was an irritant; it wasn't water." | "I felt the burning sensation at the back of my throat. It was then I realised it was an irritant; it wasn't water." |
| Footage from a body-worn police camera was also shown in court, and showed men running in all directions. | Footage from a body-worn police camera was also shown in court, and showed men running in all directions. |
| The court heard that the defendant was also hit by the ammonia. | The court heard that the defendant was also hit by the ammonia. |
| Prosecutor James Keely said that Mr Whittaker had researched ammonia on his phone and that police had found the chemical at his home. | Prosecutor James Keely said that Mr Whittaker had researched ammonia on his phone and that police had found the chemical at his home. |
| "Without double this incident has a gang-related theme running through its veins," said Mr Keely. | "Without double this incident has a gang-related theme running through its veins," said Mr Keely. |
| "To put it ineloquently, that's why it kicked off." | "To put it ineloquently, that's why it kicked off." |
| The case continues. | The case continues. |