A couple dining at San Marino restaurant in Widnes, Cheshire, found themselves at the centre of a controversy following their claim of discovering glass in their meal. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, when the woman reported finding a sharp object in her pasta dish, allegedly putting her expensive dental veneers at risk. The couple, accompanied by a young girl, subsequently refused to pay their bill, which totalled £64.85, and sought compensation before departing the establishment.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the restaurant's CCTV footage appeared to reveal the couple engaging in behaviour that suggested the claim might have been fabricated. The video allegedly shows the man removing a clump of glass from his pocket, which he then passed to his partner. She is visibly recorded scooping food onto a napkin and calling over a staff member to display the glass, claiming it had been found in her meal.
Miraz Yolcu, the restaurant's managing director, expressed his astonishment at the events encapsulated in the video and shared it on Facebook with the statement that such scams are detrimental to "small, hard-working businesses like ours." Miraz narrated that when they initially reported the finding of glass, restaurant staff were shocked. The couple contended that they would not pay the bill due to the alleged health hazard.
Speaking to Wales Online, Miraz detailed the sequence of events, highlighting the couple's apparent lack of remorse as they dined with their daughter. "They ordered their food and started eating and everything was fine," he explained. When the complaint was raised, confusion ensued among staff, followed by an assessment leading to the discovery of the alleged deception captured by CCTV.
Miraz noted the staff's anxiety during the incident, as such accusations could entail legal repercussions involving Cheshire Police and even the Environmental Health department, which could gravely impact the restaurant's reputation. He categorised the couple as "experienced" in executing scams, pointing out that they had seemingly surveyed the area for cameras prior to their actions.
The dining bill included a Penne San Marino pasta dish, a chargrilled lamb shish kebab, garlic bread, Caesar salad, still and sparkling water, as well as a Coca-Cola. San Marino's management has reported the incident to Cheshire Police, who confirmed they are investigating. A spokesperson noted that they received a report at 1am on April 6 about three individuals leaving the restaurant without paying after alleging the presence of broken glass in their meal. Following a review of the CCTV footage, it has been suggested that the glass was deliberately inserted into the meal.
As the investigation unfolds, Miraz Yolcu reiterated the need for vigilance among restaurant staff regarding potential fraudulent claims. He underscored the importance of remaining calm and advised others in the industry to be prepared to review their surveillance footage and involve law enforcement if necessary. The video of the incident has amassed over 115,000 views on social media, and Miraz aims for it to serve as a cautionary tale for other businesses.
Source: Noah Wire Services