A RESTAURANT have shamed the “ultimate dine and dash” couple who allegedly downed 14 Baby Guinness shots with their dinner – then RAN AWAY across their carpark without paying.
General manager Deanne Perkins says the couple visited The Halfway House restaurant in Brentwood, Essex, on May 16, where they racked up a staggering £231.30 bill.
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Restaurant boss Deanne Perkins shared the footage to track down the couple Credit: Kennedy News and Media
She says they ate steaks and necked shots before literally running away across the car park Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
CCTV footage shows a man and a woman being sat down by a server before asking to be moved to a table closer to the venue’s back door – leading Deanne to believe the incident was “premeditated”.
The manager says they ordered multiple starters, two steaks, ice cream, sides, and 14 shots of Baby Guinness, which the manager says she was stunned they were able to finish due to their large portion sizes.
The 45-year-old claims the “ultimate dine and dash” pair ate all of the food before the woman went out the front door while speaking on the phone.
Footage appears to show the man look around for any staff members before exiting through the back door.
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The two are then seen literally running away together across the carpark.
Upon reviewing the CCTV footage the same evening, Deanne was shocked to see the couple running off without paying their £231.30 bill and reported it to the police.
Deanne shared the video online to raise awareness and warn other local businesses.
She claims the woman was shamed into returning to the restaurant and paying £90 for her half of the bill.
The couple took their seats before gorging on their feast Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
They drank between them 14 Baby Guinnesss shots Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
But she says she has not heard from the man and the remaining £141.30 is outstanding.
Deanne, from Great Baddow, Essex, said: “They just seemed like a normal couple. They asked to sit, they moved from a small table to a big table.
“It’s away from everyone but sometimes couples do that to have a private meal. They specifically asked for that table, it did seem premeditated.”
She added: “They were absolutely fine, chatty. There was no indication any of this would happen.
“The lady got up and walked to the front on her phone, which is not uncommon as some people go outside to take a call.
“You can see him looking around waiting for staff to not be in his eye line. Then he got up and went out the back and ran all the way around.
“They ran but they didn’t get into a car, we don’t know where they went.
“The lady came in after seeing it on social media and paid her half of the bill – £90. But we still have to hear from the gentleman.”
The couple allegedly left the restaurant and then legged it across the car park Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
The woman eventually came back and paid her bill – but the restaurant still wants to hear from the man Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
The dine and dasher reportedly said she did not realise they had left without paying.
Deanne said: “I wasn’t there but apparently she said she didn’t know. But she had ran to the car park so I’m not quite sure.
“They ate every single bit. That’s a lot of food to eat for everybody, and then to run as well.
She added: “I felt disgusted that somebody would do that, especially when we are a small business. It’s such a kick in the teeth.”
Deanne said incidents like this are demoralising and that public support has been great since posting the footage online.
Deanne said: “All of our customers are regulars, they come at the same time, sit on the same tables, order the same meals.
“I think it might have happened two or three times over the years. It’s demoralising.
“It’s upsetting when random customers come in and do something like this. Every loss at this time is a big loss for a small business.”
She added: “It’s good to make people aware and let people know they can’t get away with things like that. It’s been family-run for over 50 years.”
Essex Police confirmed no arrests have been made.
