A violent incident occurred at a restaurant in St Leonards-on-sea as a couple attacked staff members after allegedly refusing to pay their bill in a ‘dine and dash’ scenario. The restaurant workers were left battered and bruised following the altercation captured on CCTV. The footage revealed a man and a woman in a confrontation with staff and later engaging in a physical fight. The woman proceeded to throw glasses and cutlery before destroying a table top by smashing it on the floor.
Emilia Esposito, an administration manager at La Bella Vista Italian restaurant, recounted the events, stating that the couple had exhibited odd behaviour throughout the meal, making unusual requests and eventually refusing to settle their bill. The situation escalated as they became rude and disrespectful, leading to a physical altercation when staff insisted on payment. The restaurant manager, Kat Cmokova, highlighted the severity of the injuries sustained by the staff, with one individual suffering a dislocated finger and cuts to the face, while others were left bruised and battered.
In response to the incident, Sussex Police arrested a 39-year-old woman on suspicion of criminal damage, common assault, and assault. She has been released on bail pending further investigations, with authorities still seeking to identify another suspect involved in the violence. The police urged anyone with information or footage related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing inquiry.
The disturbing event has left the restaurant staff shaken and shocked, with the team coming together to support each other in the aftermath. The local community has expressed outrage over the violence and shown solidarity with the restaurant workers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by hospitality workers and the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being in such situations.