Insufficiently melted cheese on chips led to chef killing

A man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for killing a chef in a row over cheesy chips at a Blackpool takeaway. Ricky Guest-Binns, 44, from the town, was attacked at the Chicken Express takeaway on Caunce Street on 5 May. Allan Glenny, 24, of Clinton Avenue, Blackpool, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Preston Crown Court.

Mr Guest-Binns had intervened after Glenny argued with staff for not melting his cheese properly. Witnesses said Mr Guest-Binns had been ushering him out of the takeaway when roofer Glenny punched him and hit another man, the court heard.

Joseph Allman, prosecuting, said Mr Guest-Binns fell backwards and, despite several people attempting to resuscitate him, there were no signs of life when paramedics arrived. Tests gave the cause of death as a haemorrhage caused by a blow to the head. Mr Allman said: "It is appalling this incident should have happened over whether cheese had been melted on the defendant's chips."

Glenny admitted having drunk "quite a lot of lager" and spirits and having taken cocaine. The court heard he told police after handing himself in later that day: "I have ruined my life and some family over one punch. A few words have been exchanged, it's just Blackpool, Friday night." Glenny was sentenced to three years and four months for manslaughter and two months for a separate assault which happened on Milbourne Street shortly after the initial attack inside the takeaway.