Port Talbot: Dine-and-dash couple jailed after restaurant fraud

Bernard McDonagh’s defence barrister Giles Hayes said he was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed”.

“He has asked me to apologise in open court on behalf,” he added.

Representing Ann McDonagh, Andrew Evans, admitted there was a “pattern” in offences over many years.

He suggested Mrs McDonagh did not offend “for financial gain” but to “improve the position of her family”.

Judge Thomas concluded: “Over a period of around eight months, you two set out on a deliberate course of sustained dishonesty.

“You would go into restaurants with your young family, you would have food and drink served to you, on the value of hundreds of pounds, then you would cynically leave without paying.”

He said they would order the most expensive items on the menu, even for their children.

He said Ann McDonagh was “a fluent and practised liar”.

“Exploiting your own children… you’d obviously coached them in advance to run away,” he added.

Speaking on Wednesday, co-owner of Bella Ciao restaurant, Tyrone Rees, said the family felt vulnerable after the incident.

“It’s like someone coming down the street, taking £300 from your wallet, and walking away with it,” he said.

“That’s my family, my children, my grandchildren’s money.

“You just want the people to know that they can’t get away with that.”