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A solicitor has been struck off for repeatedly running out of restaurants without paying for her food, although she’s allegedly still at it.

The strike off followed Kerry Ann Stevens’ conviction at Suffolk Magistrates Court on two counts of fraud by false representation in March 2022.

On 14 January 2021, the dine and dash lawyer pretended she’d paid £43 for a takeaway. A month later, she ate at a Harvester restaurant and lied to staff that she was just popping out and would return later to settle her £60.91 bill, which she never did.

At the time of her offences she worked at family law firm Parfitt Creswell, but her employment came to an end when she was convicted and fined £880. Stevens was also ordered to pay compensation of £200 and an £80 victim surcharge.

However, numerous business owners have alleged that Stevens and her partner, Daniel Alani, have continued to rip them off by promising to pay and then pegging it.

Taxi driver Patrick Pjetri claimed that when he stopped the solicitor from doing a runner from his cab she “offered me a phone charger, saying it was worth £20 when the fare was £19.20. When I refused, she started screaming and saying, 'It's enforcement of imprisonment'”.

_{Pjetri snapped Stevens as she allegedly tried to bargain her way out of paying.}

“I had to let her go in the end because of her screaming and shouting”, he said.

In February this year Stevens and Alani allegedly ran up a £127 bill at Chinese restaurant The Pearl Dragon “then left when no one was looking”, said the business in a Facebook appeal to identify the pair.

“They knocked my husband for a £45 cab fare a couple of months ago!”, claimed one woman on Facebook. “Police aren't doing anything!”

As recently as 21 April the ex-solicitor and her partner popped up at the Castle Inn near Southend for Sunday lunch (prawn cocktail and breaded mushroom starters, roast chicken mains with extra lamb on the side, two cokes, an orange juice and a glass of Pinot Grigio according to the MailOnline, if you must know).

When they allegedly attempted to leave without paying, staff and customers stopped Stevens barging past an employee, locked the doors and called the police.

_{Trapped at the table.}

“They tried to leave multiple times by various routes”, said landlord Ken Todd. “The woman said her father would pay – but that he was in hospital with his grandson. When we asked why they didn't have any money, they didn't give any answer at all – they just sat there”.

However, when the police arrived the pair were freed. “No payment was made and the individuals were allowed to leave”, said the restaurant.

Steve Yeung, exasperated proprietor of The Pearl Dragon, said, “We all knew they'd do it again. I don't understand how the police have all the details and yet still have not done anything”.

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