'Dine and dash' couple jailed for restaurant fraud

30-May-2024 - Last updated on 30-May-2024 at 13:54 GMT

A couple who ate at five restaurants in Wales and left without paying have been jailed.

Bernard McDonagh and his wife Ann McDonagh pleaded guilty to failing to pay their restaurant bills between August 2023 and April 2024 at Swansea Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

Ann McDonagh pleaded guilty to fraud and theft and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, while her husband was given an eight-month sentence.

The pair racked up bills of more than £1,000 by so called ‘dining and dashing’ at restaurants including Bella Ciao in Swansea, Isabella’s in Porthcawl, River House in Swansea Docks, Golden Fortune in Port Talbot, and La Casona in Skewen.

The owners of Bella Ciao said the pair and their family had ordered T-bone steaks and double portions of desserts before leaving with an unpaid bill of £329.

CCTV footage of them failing to pay for food at the Swansea restaurant went viral earlier this year.