Epidemic of ‘dine and dash’ crimes are putting businesses at risk of bankruptcy, top judge warns

“DINE and dash” crimes person go an epidemic that is putting businesses astatine hazard of bankruptcy, a justice warned yesterday.

He spoke retired aft proceeding however Pat O’Toole, 41, near a fig of restaurants this summertime without paying — costing them hundreds of pounds.

O’Toole was successful a radical of 4 who ran up an unpaid £106 measure successful August astatine the Cornish Arms successful Hayle, Cornwall.

Two weeks later, helium was caught connected CCTV saddling the four-star Tregenna Castle Hotel successful St Ives with £312 worthy of unpaid nutrient and drink.

Truro crown court heard helium was besides successful a radical of six who drove disconnected laughing aft skipping a £403 measure successful different portion of the country.

When helium was arrested, helium was successful a stolen £25,000 caravan successful a edifice car parkland successful Hayle.

The dada of three, from Hayes, West London, has spent 3 months connected remand successful jail.

He admitted handling stolen goods and making disconnected without outgo — and said helium was ashamed of his behaviour.

Judge Simon Carr sentenced him to 8 months, suspended for 2 years, and ordered him to bash 100 hours’ unpaid work.

He said: “There is an epidemic of the occupation successful Cornwall, ordering meals and putting businesses successful information of facing bankruptcy.

"These offences are taken incredibly seriously.”