Kerry Stevens, the 40-year-old former lawyer who allegedly fled the UK and posed for photos at Disneyland Paris while wanted over a string of 'dine and dash' incidents, has been arrested after months on the run. Essex Police confirmed that Stevens, of Jackdaw Close in Shoebury, was arrested on Sunday 30 August and remanded to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court the following day. She is now due to stand trial at Ipswich Crown Court on 9 November 2026 in relation to alleged offences of making off without payment.
Background of the case
Stevens had failed to appear at court on at least nine occasions before her arrest. She had been accused of making off from restaurants without payment and bolting from taxi cabs without handing over her fare in 2024. The former lawyer was struck off after being previously convicted of failing to pay £60.91 at a Harvester and had been the subject of four arrest warrants.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: 'We are no longer looking for Kerry Stevens, who we wanted to speak to in connection with outstanding warrants for failing to appear at court.' The spokesperson added: 'Stevens, 40, of Jackdaw Close, in Shoebury, was arrested on Sunday 30 August and remanded to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday 31 August.'
Alleged incidents and public attention
Stevens made headlines after she was first named locally after allegedly targeting restaurants and taxi firms, with images circulating online of her in a legal wig and gown. The mum-of-one was charged with eleven counts of making off without payment and one count of theft from a shop in 2024.
Stevens and partner Daniel Alani were probed by police in connection with a dine and dash incident where regulars stopped a couple fleeing a pub without paying their £62 bill. The couple were accused of fleeing The Castle Inn without paying £62.20 after consuming prawn cocktail, breaded mushrooms, and two roast chicken dinners with extra lamb. They allegedly drank two cokes, an orange juice, and a medium glass of pinot wine.
Landlord Ken Todd, of The Castle Inn in Little Wakering, said previously: 'For the sake of £62, if they came in and were starving I'd just give them the food. The man tried to leave through the back door of the pub which I had already locked and apparently the woman tried to escape by the bathroom window.'
Further allegations and court proceedings
Steve Yeung, of The Pearl Dragon restaurant in Eastern Esplanade, also claimed the pair had fled a £127 bill. They had consumed four starters, four main courses, and up to eight soft drinks. The pair are also believed to have been targeting taxi drivers, with many cabbies being swindled out of fares.
Stevens missed multiple court dates, and it was later claimed she was living in France with a family member. In May, she posted on Facebook wearing Mickey Mouse ears and holding a bubble-wand, understood to be on a day trip at Disneyland Paris. Electrician Alani pleaded guilty to theft, theft from a shop, and eight counts of making off without payment earlier this year.
