A man known for repeatedly dining and dashing was sentenced to jail after accumulating an £89.45 bill at a seaside pub and failing to settle it. Anthony Lamont, aged 45, dined at The Charles Dickens in Broadstairs, Kent, on July 16 but claimed he had no money to pay for the meal, mentioning that his girlfriend would cover the cost.
Despite his assurances, staff at the pub were skeptical and alerted the police, who apprehended him before 5pm. This incident marked the third time Lamont had attempted to leave without paying. Following his guilty plea for the offense, he was sentenced to a two-week jail term at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court.
Kent Police revealed that Lamont, without a fixed address, had consumed a significant amount of alcohol and food at The Royal Hotel in Deal on June 17, 2024, accruing a bill of £95.80. He tried to shift the payment responsibility to a supposed friend staying at the hotel, but investigations showed no such individual had checked in. Lamont was detained by hotel staff until law enforcement arrived.
These incidents occurred while Lamont was already under a suspended sentence for a similar offense at Don Vincenzo in Rochester. In that instance, he attempted to leave without paying a £100 bill after consuming a meal and drinks. CCTV footage captured his arrest by the police.
After the Broadstairs incident, Lamont was arrested again, this time charged with making off without payment. Kent Police Inspector Matthew Vick emphasized the importance of swift action to combat such crimes, affirming the commitment to safeguarding local businesses from individuals like Lamont. Collaboration with businesses in the area ensures that offenders are held accountable, sending a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated in Kent.