Restaurant staff injured in alleged ‘dinner and run’

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 La Bella Vista Italian restaurant 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 another suspect.

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

“The owner, my boss, had a dislocated finger and cuts on his face. And the rest of the staff had some bruises,” he said BBC Radio Sussex.

“My colleagues keep coming up to me to say they’ve found more bruises overnight. They’re black and blue.”

Police said it was reported 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 asked to contact Sussex Police.