Mia Miller spared jail for viral rampage through Adelaide McDonald’s – but court says she’ll always be known as the ‘Macca’s Spitter’

A teenager who went on drug-fuelled rampage through a CBD McDonald’s has been spared jail but will forever be known as the Macca’s Spitter, a magistrate says.

A teenage drug user whose foul and feral rampage through a fast food outlet went viral on social media has been spared a jail cell – but a court says she will be forever known as the “Macca’s Spitter”.

On Wednesday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court released Mia Miller on an 18-month good behaviour bond and ordered she perform 75 hours of community service within 10 months.

In sentencing, Magistrate Michael Barnett noted penalties for offending such as Miller’s had been increased to protect retail workers and, ordinarily, conduct such as hers would see her imprisoned.

However, he said her youth, lack of prior offending and traumatic background warranted another path – as did her ongoing public humiliation.

Mia Miller, right, punches a McDonald’s staff member without provocation during the incident. Picture: Courts SA

Mia Miller during her rampage through McDonald's Hindley St. Picture: Courts SA

Mia Miller during her rampage through McDonald's Hindley St. Picture: Courts SA

“I have some confidence that the very public embarrassment and humiliation you have suffered and will continue to suffer has and will continue to have a salutary and long-lasting effect on you,” he said

“Anyone Googling your name in the future will be presented with a video of your actions and media reports that call you the ‘Macca’s Spitter’.

“That is a heavy burden for a young person to bear.”

Miller, 19, of Port Noarlunga, pleaded guilty to two aggravated counts of assault, two counts of committing prohibited acts with bodily fluid, and one count of disorderly conduct.

In October 2022 she spat on, threw drinks at, verbally antagonised and repeatedly punched two Hindley Street McDonald’s workers while on a Xanax “bender”.

Miller’s offending, recorded by patrons, went viral on social media – she apologised on TV and asked she not be made “the lightning rod” for harsh new penalties.

Her victims, meanwhile, asked the court to “serve justice” to ensure the safety and protection “of all retail workers”.

Miller, left, assaulting manager Allan Mejorada during the incident. Picture: Courts SA

Mr Mejorada outside court after giving his victim impact statement. Picture: Sean Fewster

On Wednesday, Mr Barnett said both of Miller’s victims continued to suffer as result of her conduct.

“The manager was appropriately dealing with your obnoxious and aggressive behaviour, and attempting to respond to your false and public accusations that he had hit you,” he said.

“He did not hit you, you hit and spat at him … you were rude, crude and aggressive in both your language and your conduct.”

He said psychological reports showed Miller had willingly sought treatment for her drug use, which arose from past trauma in her life.

However, he said substance abuse could only explain, and never excuse or lessen, Miller’s serious conduct.

Barnett said Miller’s original televised apology lacked self-awareness and insight, and verged on blaming the victims for her actions.

He said he was satisfied that, in the months since, Miller had developed insight and empathy and now accepted she was solely responsible for her crimes.

He further ordered she pay levies and costs, including a victim of crime levy, totalling $1400.

Outside court, SDA industrial officer Ali Amin said the union welcomed the end of the first prosecution under the toughened laws.

“We hope that this sends a signal to the community that you can’t simply go out on a Friday night, drunkenly abuse workers and forget about it the next day,” he said.

“You will be found, you will be prosecuted.

“It’s simply not okay to spit on, yell at or otherwise abuse staff, whether it be at McDonald’s or any other fast food outlet.”

However, the National Retail Association expressed disappointment at what it called a meagre sentence.

Policy director David Stout said retail business owners and employees had been watching the case closely and called the sentence a disappointment.