CCTV appeal follows theft allegation amid claims of 'eating challenge dispute'

Police have issued CCTV images after a group of diners allegedly left a Marlborough restaurant without paying, in what is believed to be a dispute over an eating challenge.

Police are investigating allegations of theft after the group dined at Bite Me Burger in Kingsbury Street on 5 February.

The owner of the restaurant. Simon Wetton, told the Gazette and Herald newspaper that the group of 10 owed £174.

He said the restaurant offers a burger challenge which states that if 12 burgers are eaten in six minutes, the meal is free of charge. However, the challenge must be pre-booked to ensure staff are available to adjudicate.

Wetton told the newspaper that the group had wanted to do the challenge but had been told it would not be possible. He says they went on to order 12 burgers and then disputed their bill, claiming to have eaten them in six minutes.

Wetton told the Gazette and Herald: "I don't want to waste police time or that of the courts but, on top of all that restaurants have gone through with the lockdown, this is a matter of principle and people should not be allowed to get away with it."

Police have asked anyone with information to call 101, quoting reference 54220012944.