A man who attacked a McDonald's door supervisor with a baseball bat after being thrown out of the restaurant has been jailed for nine years. Braulio Joaquim Lemos, 33, of Northumberland Close, Nottingham, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent on the day he was due to stand trial at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, July 24.
Revenge attack after being ejected
The incident began at about 4am on September 22, 2023, when Joaquim Lemos was asked to leave the McDonald's branch in Clumber Street, Nottingham. He had been pestering female staff and customers for their phone numbers. During a scuffle, he punched the victim before walking home and changing into a tracksuit with a hood.
He returned to the restaurant at 5.18am armed with a baseball bat. He hid behind a parked van before 'charging' at the victim from across the street, striking him on the side of the head. The victim was taken to hospital with a fractured skull and a brain haemorrhage.
Impact on the victim
According to Nottinghamshire Police, the head injury continues to affect the victim almost three years later. Detective Inspector Lisa Jones said: "Joaquim Lemos had ample opportunity to calm down and take a step back after the initial altercation with door staff. However, he chose instead to arm himself with a weapon and seek revenge by attacking the victim with such force that he fractured the man's skull."
DI Jones added: "The head injury continues to impact on the victim almost three years later and he has no way of living a normal life with his family. Such violence has no place in our nighttime economy and anyone responsible for assaults of this nature can expect a robust response from the force and ultimately a spell behind bars."
Sentence and reaction
Sentencing Joaquim Lemos, Judge Stuart Rafferty described the attack as 'unnecessary, unlawful and in revenge'. The defendant was jailed for nine years at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, July 24.
This case highlights the serious consequences of violence against door supervisors, who play a vital role in keeping the nighttime economy safe. The force has reiterated its commitment to tackling such assaults robustly.
