A MAN has been tackled by police in a Knutsford restaurant on Saturday afternoon after becoming aggressive and refusing to leave.

The incident unfolded in Gusto in King Street, at around 3.30pm on Saturday, June 18 when onlookers witnessed a member of staff being apprehended by police officers after becoming ‘aggressive’.

A 38-year-old man from Warrington was arrested and later charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour and resisting arrest. He will appear at South and East Cheshire Magistrates on 19 July 2016.

A spokesperson for the restaurant has told the Guardian that this was an isolated incident and that the staff member was told he was not ‘fit for work’.

An eye-witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I went to the cash machine on the corner on King Street. The man was smoking outside, he walked up to me very fast, said ‘I’m okay’ and shook my hand hard then went into Gusto.

“There were two coppers behind me. The chef in Gusto came out and said he’s getting aggressive now and the staff in Gusto had ushered him away. He resisted arrest and was screaming and shouting.”

Gusto has apologised to anyone who was in the restaurant as the incident occurred.

Sue Crimes, managing director at Gusto Restaurants also added: "I can confirm that regrettably there was an incident in connection to a member of staff which unfolded at Gusto in Knutsford at lunchtime on Saturday 18th June.

“The conduct shown by this employee was completely out of character and we have taken appropriate action to avoid any recurrence.

“The wellbeing of our customers and employees is Gusto's top priority, and we apologise to customers who were in the restaurant at that time. This is now a police matter so we are unable to comment further."