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Couple in Wales jailed for series of 'dine and dash' offences.

STEVEN MORRIS

Updated 29 May 2024.

A couple have been jailed for carrying out a string of “dine and dash” offences, racking up large bills for food and drink before leaving without paying.A judge at Swansea crown court said Ann McDonagh, 39, and Bernard McDonagh, 41, had “cynically and brazenly” defrauded restaurants and a takeaway in south Wales.Judge Thomas KC told the court that the couple, from Port Talbot, had ordered more than they could eat – including T-bone steaks – just to see if they could get away with it and got a buzz out of their spree. “It was criminality for criminality’s sake,” he said.The court was told the couple were from a “very large Travelling community” and the judge criticised them for reinforcing negative stereotypes.It emerged that Bernard McDonagh had 27 convictions, including for affray, criminal damage and theft, and that Ann McDonagh had 18 convictions, many for shoplifting. He had 23 aliases, and she had 20. The judge said he believed Ann McDonagh played the leading role and jailed her for 12 months. Bernard McDonagh was given eight months.