A woman has been fined after stealing langoustines from outside a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chelsea, avoiding a jail sentence. Ekaterina Frolova, 46, was ordered to pay £350 at Westminster Magistrates' Court following her conviction for the theft from Elystan Street.
CCTV footage published online showed Frolova taking a box of langoustines that had been delivered and left outside the high-end restaurant, dressed in jeans and slippers. The shellfish was intended for the lunch service and was valued at around £200.
Additional footage emerged of similar incidents in the area, including a theft at the nearby florist Petals at Bibendum. Frolova also admitted two thefts from Zen Pharmacy in Beauchamp Place over six days, as well as a burglary. She was remanded in custody before being sentenced, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
The original footage was shared by chef Phil Howard, who condemned the theft on Instagram. Elystan Street's general manager Becky McLaughlin said the theft had a significant impact on the independent restaurant, describing it as a "massive domino effect" and a cost that had to be absorbed.
Max Cansdale, co-owner of Petals at Bibendum, said shoplifting was hitting small businesses hard and described preventive measures now in place, such as securing products with fishing wire, employing a security guard, and packing away the entire shop at night.
