CCTV shows moment ‘rude’ couple goes mad after complaining about their meal and refusing to pay their bill

This is the “scary” moment a couple allegedly attacked restaurant staff after complaining about their meal, captured in shocking CCTV footage.

Footage of the incident, which took place at La Bella Vista in St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, last Saturday, shows a man in a red top and a woman in a black top during an altercation with staff.

Staff try to get the couple to leave, and as they head towards the exit, the woman can be seen throwing glasses and cutlery before removing a table and smashing it on the floor.

This happened after the couple allegedly requested very strong drinks as well as off-menu items and were rude to staff throughout the meal.

Restaurant staff say they suffered bruises, dislocated fingers and facial cuts as a result of the vicious fight.

A video capture of the shocking footage shows an alleged attack on staff at the La Bella Vista restaurant, near Hastings, East Sussex.

As the “rude” couple heads out, the woman can be seen throwing glasses and cutlery.

Staff say he has been left “black and blue” following last Saturday’s incident.

Emilia Esposito, administrative manager of the Italian restaurant, said: “During the meal, they behaved strangely – refusing to make eye contact and asking for off-menu dishes.

“They also requested that their drinks be very strong.

“They became increasingly rude and disrespectful to us throughout the meal.

“They complained about the food after finishing their main courses, saying it was disgusting.

“They then said they were not going to pay, and since this has happened to us before, we insisted that they pay.

“That’s when they started arguing, and it escalated. The man went after our boss and attacked him.

“He came from the back of the bar and started pushing it.

“The woman then picked up and smashed our glass tables outside the restaurant.

“Our boss has visible cuts on his face, the staff has bruises where they were trying to defend the restaurant and our boss.

Woman allegedly picked up glass table and smashed it on floor after heated fight

A woman can be seen throwing a glass tray on the ground. A woman has since been arrested following the incident

Glass can be seen scattered on the floor after the table’s glass top was smashed onto the floor.

“This is a frightening incident. We’ve all worked together as a team, but it’s scary – and never something we expected happens to us.

It was also reported that a weapon was used to threaten staff following a dispute over paying their bill, Sussex Police said.

Sussex Police said a 39-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, common assault and assault.

She has since been released on bail pending further inquiries. Meanwhile, police are still trying to identify another suspect.

Restaurant manager Kat Cmokova told the BBC: “The owner, my boss, had a dislocated finger and cuts to his face. And the rest of the staff had some bruises.

“My colleagues keep coming to me to tell me they found more bruises overnight. They are black and blue.

The restaurant also posted about the incident on Instagram.

Sussex Police said: “On Saturday October 12, at around 5:40 p.m., officers responded to a report of a woman and man fighting with staff and damaging property inside a restaurant at Grand Parade, St Leonards.

“A further report was made to police that a weapon had also been used to threaten staff following a dispute over payment of their bill.

“Officers arrested a 39-year-old woman from nearby Crawley in Saxon Street on suspicion of criminal damage, common assault and assault.

“She was taken into custody and has since been released on bail under strict conditions pending further investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Sussex Police, either online or by calling 101 quoting reference 917 of 12/10.