A MAN was stabbed inside a fast-food restaurant.

Police were called to McDonald’s at Galleys Corner, Braintree, at 11.15pm on Friday after receiving reports of an altercation.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The victim, a 20-year-old man, was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford with two puncture wounds to his left shoulder and cuts to his head and face, which did not require treatment.

“He was later discharged from hospital.”

It is believed the man was attacked outside the toilets inside the restaurant.

An 18-year-old man from London was arrested later that night on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and was bailed until February 18.

Cherry Lewis-Taylor, franchisee of McDonald’s Braintree, said: “This is the only incident of its type that has happened in the Braintree restaurant, which has been serving the community for over 20 years.

“My staff dealt with the situation in a professional manner and the emergency services were contacted immediately. We are now working with the police on their investigation.”

Councillor Celia Shute, who represents Braintree East, who also sits on the neighbourhood action panel for Braintree South, said she was shocked to hear about the attack.

She said: “I have never heard of any other troubles there, normally it’s a very peaceful area.

“It’s rather a shame. Unfortunatelywe do have the occasional issue with things like that in Braintree, but it is normally a very safe town.

“I just hope the police can get to the bottom of it.”

She added that yobs had recently vandalised paintings in an underpass near to Galley’s Corner.

Karen Brown, chairman of Braintree East Pride in Our Patch, said: “I think because McDonalds is known as a family-centred business, it’s really shocking to hear that something like this has happened.

But people have to remember it’s the people and not the place, we don’t want Galley’s Corner to get a bad name.”

She said she found out about the attack after a friend was parked in the car park and was suddenly told they couldn’t leave as the area would be cordoned off.

Mrs Brown added: “That’s when I knew something serious had happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Braintree CID on 101.