Shocking moment ‘dine and dash’ couple ‘leave restaurant without paying for £120 meal including SIX espresso martinis’
THIS is the shocking moment a “dine and dash” couple fled a restaurant without paying for their £120 meal.
The couple even had the gall to then post photos to social media, including of the six espresso martinis they downed.
The man and woman spent almost an hour indulging in gourmet burgers, halloumi and sweet potato fries and Biscoff cheesecake.
After finishing the meal the couple went outside ‘for a cigarette’ – only to do a runner from the Lazy Fox in posh Westbourne, Dorset.
They then went home with the man posting images of the food and drink on Facebook.
A waitress who served the couple at the Lazy Fox on Monday evening said: “He was with a blonde woman who had heavy red lipstick and wore a white top under a white dress.
“She was a bit intoxicated and they were both a bit energetic. We were keeping a close eye on them especially when it came to serving them drinks.
“They ordered cocktails and food and took photos of it after it arrived. After they finished she said she wanted a dessert and ordered the cheesecake.
“The woman then stepped outside for a cigarette and the man followed her out and they never came back.
“We were rather busy at the time but we trusted that they weren’t going to do that.”
Since the owners shared the incriminating post other local restaurant owners have come forward after recognising the man and claimed he had done the same to them.
Last summer the man, who appears aged in his 40s, and a woman are said to have enjoyed £170 worth of food and drink at the Urban Garden restaurant in Bournemouth before leaving.
He is believed to have also struck at the Westbourne Grill House.
Mauricio Spinola, the co-owner of the Lazy Fox, said: “It was probably about 10 minutes after they went outside we realised they had gone. I couldn’t just head out and look for him, I still had a bar to run.
“It’s a big hit for a small business like ours, we just can’t afford to lose over £100 in the current climate.
“We just want to get that money back and ban him from coming in again. We know the police aren’t going to do anything.
“We’re not really sure what we can do to prevent this sort if thing from happening in the future.
“We can’t ask people to give us their phone or wallet when they go out for a cigarette. The vast majority of our customers are great and would think that is weird.”
Co-owner Enoely Fernandez, 33, said: “I just think posting his meal on Facebook was so silly.
“We have since had lots of messages from people about this guy and how he has done similar things in the past.
“The hard thing is the guy didn’t look suspicious. He wasn’t drunk. He wasn’t shouting. He wasn’t disruptive.
“He asked to go out for a cigarette and of course we said that was fine.
“It was difficult for our bar staff as we just had to reassure them that they had done nothing wrong. It’s just really annoying for everyone.”
A spokesperson for Urban Garden restaurant said he had warned other eateries in the area about the man after being stung by him in May 2023.
He said: “He came in and kept a low-profile. Afterwards I realised that he just wanted to blend in and not draw attention to himself.
“We have spoken with other bar staff in the area and warned them about this guy.”
Dorset police have been approached for comment.