A former solicitor wanted for a series of alleged dine-and-dash incidents has fled abroad, according to a family friend. Kerry Stevens, 40, posted photos of herself wearing Mickey Mouse ears and holding a bubble wand at Disneyland Paris on Facebook on May 18, despite being the subject of four arrest warrants.
Stevens, from Southend, Essex, was struck off as a lawyer after a previous conviction for failing to pay a £60.91 bill at a Harvester restaurant. She is now believed to be living with a family member in the Lorraine region of France.
A family friend said Stevens fled earlier this year after failing to appear in court, despite pleas from her family to stay. 'The police came looking for her again and her mum had to tell them she'd gone,' the friend claimed.
Stevens made headlines after being accused of targeting restaurants and taxi firms. She was charged with 11 counts of making off without payment and one count of theft from a shop in 2024. She denies the charges and is due to face trial later this year.
Stevens and her alleged accomplice Daniel Alani were first investigated after a dine-and-dash incident at The Castle Inn in Little Wakering, where regulars stopped the couple from fleeing without paying a £62.20 bill. The couple had consumed prawn cocktail, breaded mushrooms, two roast chicken dinners with extra lamb, two Cokes, an orange juice, and a medium glass of pinot wine.
Landlord Ken Todd said, '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, which I had already locked, and apparently the woman tried to escape by the bathroom window.'
Steve Yeung of The Pearl Dragon restaurant in Eastern Esplanade also claimed the pair fled a £127 bill after eating four starters, four main courses, and up to eight soft drinks. The pair are also believed to have targeted taxi drivers, swindling many out of fares.
Electrician Alani pleaded guilty to theft, theft from a shop, and eight counts of making off without payment earlier this year. Essex Police were contacted for comment.
