A 45-year-old man from Hadleigh, Suffolk, and a 43-year-old woman from Sudbury, Suffolk, were arrested yesterday (Wednesday 18 November) on suspicion of making off without payment.
They were taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning but have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Series of reported incidents
According to Norfolk Police, the incidents reported took place across the summer and into October with hundreds of pounds' worth of food and drink not paid for.
This followed a series of reported incidents at various locations across Norfolk, Suffolk and one in Essex. These included:
- Hintlesham Hall in Hintlesham, Suffolk (9 August)
- The George at Hintlesham, Suffolk (24 August)
- The Waterfront Bistro on Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk (2 September)
- The Marquis of Cornwallis, Upper Street in Layham, Suffolk (10 September)
- The Swan Inn, The Street, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk (late October)
- The Bird in Hand in Wreningham, Norfolk (19 July)
- The Sugar Beet in Swainsthorpe, Norfolk (20 July)
- The Barn Brasserie, Colchester, Essex (23 August)
Meals were ordered to the value of £197 at the Marquis of Cornwall in Layham and in Essex at the Barn Brasserie, a meal worth £146 was not paid for.
Sickening audacity
Stevie King from the Sugar Beet told The Morning Advertiser: “The audacity is sickening. At a time when pubs, restaurants, B&Bs are on their a**e.
The legal description of making off without payment is “when a person, who, knowing that payment on the spot for any goods supplied or service done is required or expected from them, dishonestly makes off without having paid as required or expected and with intent to avoid payment of the amount due shall be guilty of an offence”.
