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I Smell A Rat! Cheeky Diner Tries To Avoid Paying For Meal By Releasing Rodent Into Restaurant

Christopher Baker, 28, ordered a Valentine's Day buffet for one at Borneo Bistro in Sunderland, then secretly produced a rodent from his pocket

A shameless diner tried to avoid paying for his meal by releasing his pet rat onto the restaurant floor, a court heard.

Christopher Baker, 28, ordered a Valentine's Day buffet for one at Borneo Bistro in Sunderland, then secretly produced a rodent from his pocket.

He paid his bill but then put the animal on the floor, shouting "It's a rat. I'm not eating here, I want my money back".

Embarrassed waiters apologised and Baker was given a refund and left the Borneo Bistro in Sunderland.

Pest control were called, but when they examined the creature immediately 'smelled a rat' as it looked domestic and had recently 'had a haircut'.

Ploy: Christopher Baker (bottom left) prepares to release the rat from his pocket. (SWNS)
Ploy: Christopher Baker (bottom left) prepares to release the rat from his pocket. (SWNS)


Fraud: Baker reels away in mock indignation after releasing the rat. (SWNS)
Fraud: Baker reels away in mock indignation after releasing the rat. (SWNS)


Bistro owner Kevin Smith then checked CCTV and spotted Baker producing the rat from his pocket and putting it on the floor.

Baker, of Houghton, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation last month at Sunderland Magistrates Court.

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Prosecutor Lee Poppett said: 'He waited until a family moved from the table next to him and retrieved what appeared to be a rat from his pocket and dropped it on the floor. He then jumped out of his seat.

'He then claimed that whilst he's been eating, the rat has bitten his finger. He asked for his money back.

'It was a black and white rat, very calm. It did not appear to be wild at all. Acorn Pest Control attended and they said it appeared to be a pet. 

'Mr Smith viewed the CCTV and saw the defendant fiddling in his pocket.'

In a victim statement read out in court, Mr Smith said the potential damage to his business's reputation could have been 'catastrophic'.

He said that what he had built up over the last seven years could have been ruined by one man. 

Baker was arrested and told police he had bought the rat from a pet shop as a gift for his daughter, before placing it in his pocket and heading to the restaurant.

Willie Johnstone, defending, said: 'We do deal with some unusual cases from time to time.

'Christopher, on that day, had been drinking heavily and unfortunately he decided to buy a rat for his daughter by way of a present. 

'Unfortunately, he then decided to go for a meal. He sat down and ate his meal. When he had finished the meal, he took the rat out. He is very remorseful for his behaviour.'

Baker was sentenced to a 12-month community order with supervision and was told to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £7.25 in compensation to Mr Smith.


He was also banned from going to the restaurant for a year. 

Chairman of the bench, Derek Moss, said: 'This is a very serious matter as what you have done here could in a split-second have ruined this man's business, which he has worked for years to build up a reputation for.'

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Speaking after the case, Mr Smith, 47, said: 'He is just the scum of the earth. He could have destroyed the reputation I have built up over seven years. 

'I find it unbelievable that someone could be willing to go to those lengths for a free meal.' 

The rat was taken away by Acord Pest Control, who confirmed it was a pet, and promised to let it out in the wild away from Sunderland, the following day.

Click above to see more videos of crime caught on CCTV
Click above to see more videos of crime caught on CCTV