A man in a chicken suit cycled into Skipton Tesco, a court heard today.

Max McGratten, 21, knocked over a clothing rail and hurled abuse at members of staff in front of shocked shoppers, at just before 8pm on April 15, Skipton magistrates were told on Wednesday, April 27.

Security guard, David White, in a statement read out in court, said a member of the public had told him about a man dressed as a chicken riding a bike in the store car park.

Minutes later, the man cycled into the store, rode around the aisles and into a clothing rail.

Mr White told the cyclist he would be calling the police, but the man appeared not to believe him, and made for the exit.

Eventually, with the help of the warehouse manager, the check out manager and the deputy manager, McGratten, still wearing the suit, complete with mask, was brought back inside.

The court heard that McGratten became abusive, issuing threats to members of staff and saying that he would track them down and kill them.

Prosecuting, Alison Whiteley, said there were families in the shop at the time and McGratten’s behaviour was clearly threatening and abusive.

The police were called and McGratten was identified once his chicken mask was re-moved.

McGratten, who admitted using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause distress, said he had drunk a couple of beers during the day and that it had been a stupid thing to do.

“I’d had a few beers. It was absolutely stupid, my own fault and I’m sorry,” he said.

McGratten, of Dawson Street, Skipton, was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs.