Mystery donor repays cafe after dine-and-dash scam

A family-run cafe hit by dine-and-dash scammers has thanked the community after an anonymous good Samaritan picked up the bill.

A young couple with a baby had breakfast at the Beachcomber cafe at Barton on Sea, near New Milton, Hampshire but left without paying, claiming they would return later.

When the money did not materialise, staff called a number the couple had left - but realised they had been duped when an elderly man who had never visited the area answered the phone.

Owner Malcolm Barry posted a warning on social media. He later praised the "wonderful community" when a mystery man popped in the following day and covered the loss.

Barry said the couple came into the cafe on 26 February but, when the bill for £32.40 came, the man claimed he did not have his credit card and would have to return later.

He said the manager had tried to do something helpful for a family in a bind.

"It seemed genuine and I would have probably done the same thing if I was there," he said.

"That's what we do. We're a small community and we try to see the best in people."

Barry, whose family has owned the cafe since 1989, said it was "not a nice feeling" to realise they had been scammed.

"Everything's important these days, because it's so tough out there," he said.

The cafe shared the story on Facebook to warn other businesses in the area, and the next day, a man left an envelope with the bar manager.

Barry later found it contained £30 in cash and a note that read: "We read your post on Facebook and want to ensure you don't lose out."

It was signed off with "good Samaritan".

Barry said the gesture was "heartwarming" and "overwhelming".

"When you get something like that it melts your heart," he said.

"We've got a lovely community in Barton on Sea."

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