Woman arrested in runaway diners incident
A woman has been arrested after a group runaway diners racked up a bill of more than £500 before making off without paying.
The four mystery guests enjoyed a lavish meal at Milsom restaurant in Dedham, Essex, including oysters, filet steak and two bottles of Dom Perignon champagne.
However, when it came to paying the bill, the group of three men and one woman tricked staff and left without paying. Three of them made a dash for the car, while the fourth person insisted he would settle the bill but instead ran off to his accomplices who were waiting in the car outside.
Last week, Milsom restaurant said the group had come forward and agreed to pay their bill, after owner Paul Milsom released CCTV footage of them.
However, last Friday a woman from Colchester was arrested on suspicion of making off without payment. She has been released on bail until April pending further inquiries.
"The restaurant had been approached by the individuals offering to settle the outstanding bill, but the matter still remains unresolved," said a police spokesman.
Owner Paul Milsom said the guests had planned the trickery. "They decided they were going to do this and ran up a big bill," he said. "Our average spend is not that high and this was clearly premeditated, which is very disheartening."
The restaurant said the guests enjoyed scallops, spring rolls and a prawn cocktail to start, followed by main courses of cod, two lamb shanks and a £30 steak, as well as two ice-cream sundaes for dessert.
In addition, the four diners ordered three bottles of wine and two bottles of Dom Perignon champagne, racking up a total bill of £520.55.
