Man 'throws cup of scalding hot water in Starbucks worker's face... after she gives him the drink for free'



A man allegedly threw a cup of scalding water in a Starbucks worker's face - after she'd given it to him free of charge.

Dennis Christopher Lee allegedly flew into a rage when she then told him not to take condiments from the café, in downtown San Diego, because he wasn't a paying customer.

The woman had to be rushed to hospital after suffering second-degree burns to her neck and chest.

Attack: A man allegedly threw a cup of scalding hot water into a barista's face after she told him not to use the condiments (file photo)

The incident happened on Thursday when Lee, 58, walked into the Starbucks at about 5.45am and asked for a cup of hot water, which the chain provides free of charge.

But after the barista had served him, Lee started taking items from the condiments table.

The woman, described as being in her mid-20s, approached him and said the condiments were only for customers who had bought drinks.

Lee responded by allegedly throwing the cup of water in the woman's face, leaving her with serious scalds.

Shegun Iluyomade, who witnessed the incident, told 10News: 'All of a sudden, I heard [another employee] and the lady in the back scream, and [a man] threw the hot cup at her, directly towards her chest and face.'

He said he ran outside and confronted Lee, forcing him to wait until police arrived.

The woman was rushed to hospital, where she was treated for second-degree burns to her chest and neck. She was later released.

Lee was arrested on suspicion of battery and booked into jail.

He is being held on an $8,000 bond.









