Shocking footage has emerged showing a customer violently punching a member of staff at a family-run curry house in Hampshire after being accused of leaving without paying his bill.
Confrontation in the Alleyway
Employees at the Red Rose Lounge in Waterlooville, Hampshire, became suspicious that a grey-haired, spectacled diner had left without settling his bill. Staff followed the man as he walked down a nearby alleyway to confront him.
In the video, which was posted on the restaurant's Facebook page, a worker films the hoodie-wearing customer and tells him, "You had a meal and just walked off. That's not nice. We served you so nicely." The man responds by waving his hands in the air, shouting "not nice" along with several expletives as he continues to walk away.
The Violent Assault
The situation quickly escalated. The restaurant employee then accuses the man of having already punched a colleague, stating that the victim "is bleeding" and demands the diner's address.
"Oh yeah, try that one," the man retorts. He then appears to lash out as the staff member pleads, "Don't punch me." The footage shows the customer adopting a boxer's stance, raising his fists and angrily declaring, "you can't f***ing do anything to me," before swinging his arm again. Other individuals, including a woman, can be heard urging him to stop.
Restaurant's Appeal and Police Contact
The video was shared on the restaurant's social media on Monday night, though the exact timing of the altercation is unconfirmed. A message posted with the clip explained the incident.
"It's a shame the person had a meal with us and he ran away without pay," the statement read. "When our colleagues tried to stop him he punched one of our staff and the local pedestrian tried to stop him and he tried to punch the lady as well. Anyway we hope he got home safe."
The Daily Mail has contacted Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary for comment regarding the alleged assault and the dine and dash incident. The family-run business has been left shaken by the aggressive behaviour of the customer.
