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A serial dine-and-dasher has been jailed after consuming nearly £100 worth of food and alcohol at a pub without paying.
The most recent incident occurred when Anthony Lamont went to the Charles Dickens in Broadstairs on July 16 and ordered a meal and drinks for himself.
When the bill arrived, he told staff he had no way to foot the bill, but had texted a girlfriend to come and cover the cost for him.
Waiters doubted his story, and police were called shortly before 5pm that afternoon.
This is the third time the 45-year-old has not paid for his dinner, as on two previous occasions, Lamont has been caught evading the bill.
On June 17, 2024, he downed nine pints, three double vodkas and fish and chips at The Royal Hotel in Deal before claiming a friend had a room booked, which the £95.80 bill could go on.
However, after checks were carried out, the hotel had no record of that person having a reservation or ever checking in.
Staff prevented Lamont from leaving, and the police were called.
He was arrested and later charged with theft, which he admitted when he appeared in court the next day.
The court heard he had targeted The Royal while on a suspended sentence for an 'identical' 'dine and dash' at Don Vincenzo.
This time, he was given a 120-day prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay the restaurant £100 in compensation.
That sentence was given out just five days after Lamont evaded prison for an 'identical' offence at the Italian restaurant in Rochester.
At Don Vincenzo, he accumulated a £100 bill after ordering a seafood linguine with Jack Daniel's.
He also told staff that he had no way of paying the tab.
Given this was his first offence, he was spared jail and given a suspended sentence.
In reaction to his most recent conviction, Kent Police Inspector Matthew Vick said: 'Lamont's actions were a brazen attempt to take advantage of a local business, but thanks to the swift response of pub staff, officers and the courts, he found himself behind bars just two days later.
'This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting communities from this type of crime, which can have a significant impact on local businesses.
'We work closely with retailers and hospitality venues so that offenders can be held accountable, and to send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in Kent.'
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