Restaurant staff injured in alleged ‘dine and dash’

The manager of an East Sussex restaurant said she and her staff were violently attacked after a couple allegedly refused to pay their bill.

The incident happened at Italian restaurant La Bella Vista in Grand Parade, St Leonards, on Saturday night.

Manager Kat Cmokova said her staff had been left “black and blue” with bruises.

A 39-year-old woman from Crawley has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, common assault and assault and has since been bailed.

Officers are also trying to identify a further suspect.

Ms Cmokova said damage had been caused to the restaurant, while the owner and staff had been injured.

“The owner, my boss, had his finger dislocated and cuts on his face. And the rest of the staff had some bruising,” she told BBC Radio Sussex.

“My colleagues keep coming up to me to tell me they found more bruises overnight. They are black and blue.”

Police said a further report was made to police that a weapon had also been used to threaten staff following a dispute over payment of their bill.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Sussex Police.