Essex business hit by 'dine and dash' couple demanding action

So far this year, both the Pearl Dragon restaurant, in Eastern Esplanade, and the Castle Inn pub, in Little Wakering, have fallen victim to people ordering multiple courses before attempting to flee without settling the bill.

Now, taxi driver Patrick Pjetri, 44, has revealed to have also fallen victim to a couple who failed to pay a £19.20 fare before becoming unruly and forcing the driver to let them go without paying.

After CCTV images were circulated on social media, all three businesses fear they have been targeted by the same couple and claim they are “notorious” in south Essex.

Snapped - a man departs (Image: SWNS)

Essex Police have confirmed they are investigating the incidents and “pursuing a number of targeted lines of enquiry”.

Mr Pjetri, who works for 333444 taxis, 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. She offered me a phone charger, saying it’s worth £20 when the fare was £19.20. When I refused, she started screaming and say ‘its enforcement of imprisonment’.”

Fellow taxi driver, Mr Bushi added: “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.”

“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 and now I realise the pair have been doing it to everyone.”

Steve Yeung’s Chinese restaurant The Pearl Dragon was hit by the "dine and dash" couple who fled without paying their £127 bill.

Mr Yeung said: “We all knew they’d do it again – I’ve had no update from the police on my case. I don’t understand how they have all the details and yet still have not done anything.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We’re investigating a number of incidents in south Essex relating to two people – a man and a woman – either making off or attempting to make off without payment from establishments and avoiding taxi fares. At this stage, we’re pursuing a number of targeted lines of enquiry.”