'Dine and dash' couple halted in pub by other customers after string of pay dodges

A couple suspected of a series of "dine and dash" crimes were stopped from leaving a pub by quick-thinking locals. They found themselves bar-blocked in the Castle Inn, in Little Wakering, near Southend following multiple instances of businesses being defrauded.

The landlord, 76-year-old Ken Todd, claimed the duo, believed to be from Essex, attempted to scarper without settling their £62.20 bill on Sunday April 21. This comes following escalating reports the young pair are targeting establishments and taxi drivers across Southend, reports the Mirror.

In the latest episode, patrons identified the duo, rumoured locally to be a formerly practising solicitor and electrician. Recounting the event, Mr Todd said: "Other customers helped my staff to stop them from leaving - the man was being very loud and it became a heated situation.

"We kept them talking for a good hour and some people accused them of being serial offenders. The customers blocked the entrance and were checking who was coming in and out.

"The man tried to leave through the back door of the pub which I had already locked and apparently the woman tried to escape by the bathroom window. It is a very stressful situation and it is difficult to deal with both at the time and afterwards but we'll carry on - we're lucky it was £60 and not £300."

The CCTV footage captured a bearded man in a black polo shirt and blue trousers alongside a woman in a white jumper embroiled in a heated exchange with staff at the historic pub. The video shows the woman attempting to bypass a staff member while holding her bag, pushing him as he attempts to usher her back to her seat.

Landlord Mr Todd recounted how the couple indulged in a prawn cocktail, breaded mushrooms, and two roast chicken dinners with an added portion of lamb. Their drinks included two Cokes, an orange juice, and a medium glass of Pinot wine.

The duo then tried to make an exit without settling the bill for their starters, mains, and beverages until staff and patrons stepped in.

Mr Todd, who has been at the helm of the establishment for eight years, said: "When we told them they had to pay for their meal, the woman said: 'My dad will come and pay but he's at the hospital with his grandson at the moment'. When we asked why they didn't have any money, they didn't give any answer at all - they just sat there."

After the Castle Inn alerted the authorities, police arrived and recorded the couple's details, but they were allowed to leave as the landlord considered it "not worth pursuing for £60". The same pair is also suspected of deceiving local taxi companies by claiming they lack the funds to pay or assuring drivers they would return with payment.

Patrick Pjetri, a Southend taxi driver with '333444', was stunned on February 4 when he encountered fare dodgers. The 44 year old cabbie recounted how the company's office had warned him about a couple who had skipped out on paying earlier that day, providing a description.

Later, a pair fitting the description hopped into his taxi, and Pjetri immediately recognised them as the notorious "dine and dash" duo. Recalling the incident, he said: "The man asked to get out the car earlier than the woman and when she asked to get out further down the road, she couldn't offer any payment."

The woman attempted to settle the £19.20 fare with a phone charger, claiming it was worth £20, but Pjetri wasn't having it.

He said: "When I refused, she started screaming and say 'its enforcement of imprisonment' because I said they'd have to leave something behind or wait until they could come up with the cash. She claimed they were going to get the money from one of their parents but in the end I had to just let her leave because of her screaming and shouting."

She insisted they would retrieve money from a parent, yet ultimately, Pjetri had no choice but to let her go amid her loud protests.

After eight years behind the wheel, Pjetri expressed frustration at the lack of police action, adding: "It's gotten to a point now where the police aren't doing anything so it must now be up to the small businesses to take matters into their own hands."

Ruzhdi Bushi, 46, had a confrontation with a man during a similar incident last year and recognised him from CCTV footage. He said: "I reported them to the police and they said 'are you willing to go to court? ', I thought 'no, not for the sake for £20'.

"They said they'd dismiss the case. The officer told me we know who it is and we have his details. They've been doing it to everyone - we know of at least ten drivers."

Taxi driver Zeeshan Hayder, who works for the same company, also encountered the man, saying he fled without paying on two occasions. The 39-year-old added: "I've called the police and they say it's a civil matter but those two are taking advantage of that."

Steve Yeung, 52, another person affected by the scam, has received no updates from the police after his family-run restaurant, The Pearl Dragon in Southend, Essex, was targeted by the couple who left without paying their £127 bill.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "We were called at around 5.18pm to reports of two individuals trying to leave a pub in Little Wakering, without making payment. Officers attended and liaised with all staff, members of the public and all parties involved. Details were taken from two people at the scene and enquiries are ongoing."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.