A couple in Wales, Bernard and Ann McDonagh, engaged in a daring dine-and-dash scheme that allowed them to rack up bills upwards of £1,000 at five different restaurants. Their audacious plan involved ordering expensive items from the menu, enjoying their meals, and then fleeing without settling their dues. This bold behavior continued until a CCTV image of the couple from one of the affected restaurants went viral on social media, leading to their eventual apprehension.
South Wales Police Inspector Andrew Hedley, speaking on the BBC’s Strange But True Crime podcast, reflected on how the CCTV post exploded on social media, sparking outrage among the public. The authorities swiftly intervened to address the issue before it escalated further, as the couple’s actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law.
The McDonaghs’ saga began in August 2023 when they targeted The River House in Swansea, followed by three other restaurants where they repeated their modus operandi. The final incident occurred at Bella Ciao in Swansea in April 2024, where they left without paying a bill of £329. The restaurant owners reported the incident to the police, triggering a significant social media response that aided in investigations and ultimately led to the couple’s arrest.
After their arrest, Bernard and Ann McDonagh pleaded guilty to their charges in May 2024. Mrs. McDonagh received a 12-month jail sentence, while her husband was sentenced to eight months. Their well-thought-out plan, involving the use of their children, unfolded similarly at each establishment, leading to their successful evasion until their eventual apprehension. The court proceedings shed light on the couple’s motives, with the judge attributing their actions to “pure and utter greed,” describing their behavior as a pattern of sustained dishonesty that exploited their young family for criminal gains
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
