‘Dine-and-dash’ ex-solicitor flees again – as she remains on the run despite four warrants out for her arrest

A former barrister who binge eats remains at large despite four arrest warrants being issued against him and his removal from the Lawyers’ Register.

Kerry Ann Stevens, 40, failed to appear in court at least nine times and today Essex police released a new mug shot of her.

Her partner, Daniel Alani, 39, also did not attend the court following the sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court.

The hearing was postponed, but no arrest warrant was issued for the court panel. He accepted the excuse for his absence.

Meanwhile, Stevens is charged with 11 counts of fleeing without payment and shoplifting. He denies the crimes and is due to stand trial later this year.

Police said Stevens had links to Shoebury and Westcliff, both in Essex.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to contact police.

Stevens faces 11 charges of fleeing without payment and shoplifting

The couple, who were both previously from the Southend area, first came to light when they were named locally for allegedly eating in restaurants and not paying taxi fares.

He was first investigated by police in connection with the eating and running incident in which patrons stopped a couple fleeing a pub without paying their £62 bill.

A couple is believed to have fled The Castle Inn without paying £62.20 after chowing down on two roast chicken dishes with prawn cocktail, breaded mushrooms and extra lamb.

They also drank two cokes, one orange juice and one medium pinot wine.

Landlord Ken Todd, 76, previously said: ‘For £62 I would just give them food if they came and starved.

‘The man tried to escape through the bar’s back door, which I had already locked, and the woman apparently tried to escape through the bathroom window.’

The pair were first arrested after officers attended an address in Great Wakering, near Southend, Essex, on May 2, 2024. This was when the earlier mugshots were taken.

Miss Stevens and her partner Daniel Alani allegedly left several restaurants in Essex without paying

Essex police said Daniel Alani and Kerry Stevens, both 38, were wanted in connection with a series of ‘eat and escape’ allegations and for failing to comply with bail requests.

Stevens was removed as an attorney in May 2024

They were interrogated on three counts of absconding without paying and were released on conditional bail until the end of July.

But their failure to respond to the bail application led to Essex Police appealing for information about their whereabouts at the time.

The couple are also accused of evading taxi fares. One of the taxi drivers claimed Ms Stevens shouted at him when he refused to accept a phone charger as payment instead of cash.

Her boyfriend, Alani, pleaded guilty to burglary, shoplifting and eight counts of fleeing without paying. His sentencing is now listed as Thursday of next week.