Couple admit to string of ‘dine and dash’ offences worth more than £1,000

A COUPLE have admitted a series of “dine and dash” offences in which they racked up large bills at restaurants before leaving without paying.

Bernard Mcdonagh, 41, and Ann Mcdonagh, 39, both of Sandfields, Port Talbot, appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where they pleaded guilty to five joint charges of fraud.

Charges detail how the pair first dishonestly obtained £267 of food and drink for themselves and their family at the River House restaurant in Swansea on August 9 last year, “having no intention of paying”.

They ordered £99.40 of food and drink from the Golden Fortune takeaway in Port Talbot without paying on January 31, doing the same with £276.60 worth of meals from La Casona restaurant in Skewen on February 23.

On March 27, the couple dishonestly obtained £196 of food and drink from Isabella’s in Porthcawl.

They committed the same offence again on April 19, taking £329.10 of food and drink from Bella Ciao in Swansea.

Swansea Magistrates’ Court heard the five offences, which both defendants admitted, totalled £1,168.10.

Ann Mcdonagh also pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting, totalling £1,017.60, relating to thefts at Tesco in Swansea, as well as Tommy Hilfiger and Sainsbury’s at Bridgend Designer Outlet.

The thefts took place between September 6 last year and February 25 this year.

She admitted one charge of wilfully obstructing a police officer in his duty at Queen’s Road police station in Bridgend on March 13.

District Judge Chris James sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence. He told the defendants: “Both of you will attend for your sentence at Swansea Crown Court on May 29.

“Until then, you are granted bail. It is not subject to conditions, but you must attend Swansea Crown Court at 10am on May 29.

“If you fail to do so, you commit a further offence. I will, in both of your cases, direct a pre-sentence report, given the issues that have been raised.”

Lisa Jones appeared for the prosecution during the hearing, while Giles Hayes represented both defendants.

South Wales Police previously confirmed the pair had been charged with the offences in April “following reports of several incidents of non-payment of restaurant bills and shoplifting”.

The case emerged after newlyopened Bella Ciao in Swansea reported that a family had left without paying a bill worth £329.

The River House also posted on Facebook about the couple, stating that they had racked up a £270 bill before leaving without paying.

The couple will next appear before Swansea Crown Court on May 29.