A teenage girl who punched and spat at McDonald’s staff has narrowly avoided jail time but now must endure a lifetime of public humiliation, a judge has said.
Mia Miller, 19, received an 18-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to perform 75 hours of community service within 10 months on Wednesday for her brazen assault inside the Adelaide fast food restaurant last year.
The court had heard that Miller went viral after she attacked employees in a drug-induced rampage at 1am on October 7 when she was 18.
During her attack she punched an employee in the head several times after spitting on the manager, who she also threw food at, while stunned patrons watched on.
Although Miller avoided jailtime for her assault in the Hindley Street diner, Magistrate Michael Barnett said that she’ll always be known as the ‘Macca’s spitter’.
‘That is a heavy burden for a young person to bear,’ Mr Barnett said.
Mia Miller, 19, received an 18-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to perform 75 hours of community service within 10 months for an intoxicated rampage in Maccas
Although Miller avoided jailtime for her brazen assault in the crowded diner, Magistrate Michael Barnett said that she’ll always be known as the ‘Macca’s spitter’
Previously the teen had said that she didn’t want to become a ‘lightning rod’ for new anti-harassment laws in SA, which Mr Barnett said should have been the case.
‘The manager was appropriately dealing with your obnoxious and aggressive behaviour,’ Mr Barnett told the court, The Advertiser reported.
‘I have some confidence that the very public embarrassment and humiliation you have suffered and will continue to suffer has and will continue to have a salutary and long-lasting effect on you.
‘Anyone Googling your name in the future will be presented with a video of your actions and media reports that call you the “Macca’s Spitter”.’
Miller was also ordered to pay levies and costs totaling $1,400 for her crimes.
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She had pleaded guilty to two aggravated counts of assault, two counts of committing prohibited acts with bodily fluid, and one count of disorderly conduct during the trial.
Her victims, James McKenna and manager Allan Mejorada, delivered impact statements against her last week where they called for the harshest punishments.
Both of the victims were found to still be suffering as a result of Miller’s actions, that could not be excused by her drug use Mr Barnett told the court.
Miller willingly sought treatment for her drug use, but Mr Barnett said that her televised apology after the incident lacked self-awareness and sincerity.
Her victims, employee James McKenna and manager Allan Mejorada, delivered impact statements against her last week where they called for the harshest punishments
‘I was beyond shock at what happened and felt disgusted after I was spat on,’ Mr McKenna said (pictured Miller assaulting Mr McKenna)
CCTV showing Miller raging in the McDonald’s was played before the court during the trial, which showed her attacking staff with fists, cold drinks and saliva.
Miller’s representative told the court that the teen was ‘deeply remorseful’ for her ‘outrageous behaviour’.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s told Daily Mail Australia at the time that staff had acted appropriately and that the franchiser does not condone anti-social behaviour.
Responses were mixed outside the court, as industry leaders reacted to Miller’s sentencing.
The punishment was too light and was a disappointment according to National Retail Association Policy director David Stout.
Unions however welcomed the news, with SDA industrial officer Ali Amin telling reporters that is was a fine demonstration of the newly toughened laws.
