Ex-lawyer wanted over string of ‘dine and dashes’ is arrested

| Senior News reporter Published September 9, 2026 10:43pm Updated September 9, 2026 10:43pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video An alleged ‘dine and dash’ lawyer who fled the country and posed for pictures at Disneyland Paris has been arrested after months on the run. Kerry Stevens, 40, failed to appear at court on at least nine occasions until she was arrested on Sunday. Stevens had been accused of making off from restaurants without payment and bolting from taxi cabs without handing over her fare in 2024. The former lawyer was struck off after being previously convicted of failing to pay £60.91 at a Harvester and had been the subject of four arrest warrants. An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘We are no longer looking for Kerry Stevens, who we wanted to speak to in connection with outstanding warrants for failing to appear at court. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. The former lawyer was struck off after being previously convicted of failing to pay £60.91 at a Harvester and had been the subject of four arrest warrants (Picture: SWNS) Kerry Ann Stevens has been struck off and prohibited from practising as a solicitor due to a string of food thefts ‘Stevens, 40, of Jackdaw Close, in Shoebury, was arrested on Sunday 30 August and remanded to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 31 August. ‘She is due to stand trial at Ipswich Crown Court on 9 November 2026 in relation to alleged offences of making off without payment.’ Stevens made headlines after she was first named locally after allegedly targeting restaurants and taxi firms – with images online circulating of her in a legal wig and gown. The mum-of-one was charged with eleven counts of making off without payment and one count of theft from a shop in 2024. There were four warrants out for her arrest (Picture: Kerry Ann Stevens Facebook) Stevens and partner Daniel Alani were probed by police in connection with a dine and dash incident where regulars stopped a couple fleeing a pub without paying their £62 bill. The couple were accused of fleeing The Castle Inn without paying £62.20 after scoffing prawn cocktail, breaded mushrooms and two roast chicken dinners with extra lamb. They allegedly drank two cokes, an orange juice and a medium glass of pinot wine. Landlord Ken Todd, of The Castle Inn in Little Wakering, said previously: ‘For the sake of £62, if they came in and were starving I’d just give them the food. Daniel Alani, Stevens’s partner, pleaded guilty to theft, theft from a shop and eight counts of making off without payment earlier this year (Picture: Essex Police / SWNS) ‘The man tried to leave through the back door of the pub 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 had fled a £127 bill. They had scoffed down four starters, four main courses and up to eight soft drinks. The pair are also believed to have been targeting taxi drivers, with many cabbies being swindled out of fares. But Stevens missed multiple court dates and it was later claimed she was living in France with a family member. In May, she posted on Facebook wearing Mickey Mouse ears and holding a bubble-wand, understood to be on at day trip at Disneyland Paris. Electrician Alani pleaded guilty to theft, theft from a shop and eight counts of making off without payment earlier this year. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Police pay touching tribute with patches dedicated to officers killed in A66 crash Arrow MORE: Lindsay Clancy’s lawyer asks Trump for pardon after triple murder mistrial Arrow MORE: Woman accused of killing friend in Lamborghini crash blames him for hitting ‘boost’ button Breaking News Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.