A MAN who brandished a meat cleaver in a Weymouth fast food shop has vowed to make the most of his second chance after breaching the requirements of his sentence.

Kieran Joseph Phelan, 23, a former Leeds United academy footballer, was handed an-eight month prison sentence, suspended for a year, last December for offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and two offences of possessing a bladed article.

The offences related to an incident on the night of June 1, 2010, when Phelan entered the Weymouth Kebab House in Wetham Road and brandished a meat cleaver and a kitchen knife after being refused free food and slashed at his own face with the blades.

Jacqueline Baysan, who was working at the kebab house, forced Phelan out of the shop and suffered a cut to her hand in the process.

As part of his sentence Phelan, of Hardwick Street, Weymouth, was made subject to a 12-month supervision order and ordered to attend a low intensity alcohol rehabilitation programme.

He returned to Dorchester Crown Court seven months later and admitted breaching his sentence by failing to attend for the alcohol rehabilitation requirement on January 25 and failing to report for a supervision appointment on May 25.

Rufus Taylor, representing Phelan, said at the time of the breaches his client was leading an unsettled lifestyle but had now secured a job in the building trade and accommodation.

He said: “By his own admission he is appalled by his behaviour that caused these offences and by his failure to comply with the requirements.

“He finds both the supervision and alcohol treatment very helpful and would like to prove to the court his commitment to the order and the fact that he can knuckle down and work.”

Phelan was given permission to address Recorder Timothy Mousley QC personally from the dock.

He said: “For 23 years I have done nothing but be a low-life.

“I’ve got a daughter and I’ve done nothing to show her that I’m a father.

“I want to show you and everybody that not everybody is against me, they want me to progress and do good for myself and my daughter.

“I will comply with anything you say today and I won’t be here again.”

He added: “It’s time for me to move on and be a man.”

Recorder Mousley extended the operation period of the suspended sentence by six months to give Phelan time to complete the order.

He told Phelan: “If there are any more breaches of this order you will go to prison, you understand that.

“It’s in your hands but I’m going to give you that chance.”