Watch sneaky Valentine's Day diner release pet rat in restaurant in bid to get a free meal
But he ended up in court after pest control realised the rodent was a domestic animal because it had recently 'had a hair cut'
A thrifty diner got out of paying for his Valentine's Day meal - after releasing his pet rat into the restaurant, a court heard.
Sneaky Christopher Baker, 28, ordered a slap-up dinner at a bistro - but then secretly produced the rodent from his pocket.
He paid his bill but then put the animal on the floor and started screaming 'it's a rat. I'm not eating here, I want my money back'.
Embarrassed waiters apologised and Baker was given a refund and left the Borneo Bistro in Sunderland.
Pest control were called but when they examined the creature immediately smelled a rat because it look domestic and appeared to have recently 'had a haircut'.
SWNSBorneo Bistro in Sunderland where Christopher Baker was caught on CCTV releasing a rat onto the floor of the restaurant.Spotted: One of the diners spots the rat on the floor of the restaurant
Bistro owner Kevin Smith then checked CCTV and spotted Baker producing the rat from his pocket and putting it on the floor.
Baker, of Houghton, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on February 14 at Sunderland Magistrates Court.
Prosecutor Lee Poppett said: "On February 14 - Valentine's Day - Mr Baker has attended the restaurant, ordered a buffet for one and a bottle of water.
"He picked his food up and found a seat at a table on his own at the back of the restaurant.
"At shortly before 4pm he suddenly jumps up and shouts 'It's a rat. I'm not eating here, I want my money back'.
SWNSChristopher Baker sentenced to a 12 month community order after CCTV was shown in court of him releasing the rat from his pocket. A diner got out of paying for his Valentine's Day meal - after releasing his pet RAT into the restaurant, a court heard.Guilty: Christopher Baker sentenced to a 12 month community order after CCTV was shown in court of him releasing the rat from his pocket
"Mr Smith perhaps smelled a rat at this particular point and he retrieved the rat from the floor.
"He waited until a family moved from the table next to him and retrieved what appeared to be a rat from his pocket and dropped it on the floor. He then jumped out of his seat.
"He then claimed that whilst he's been eating, the rat has bitten his finger. He asked for his money back.
"It was a black and white rat, very calm. It did not appear to be wild at all.
"Acorn Pest Control attended and they said it appeared to be a pet.
"Mr Smith viewed the CCTV and saw the defendant fiddling in his pocket."
In a victim statement read out in court, Mr Smith said the potential damage to his business's reputation could have been "catastrophic".
SWNSBorneo Bistro in Sunderland where Christopher Baker (Seated Bottom left - gets the rat out of his pocket) was caught on CCTV releasing a rat onto the floor of the restaurant.Caught out: Christopher Baker (Seated Bottom left - gets the rat out of his pocket) was caught on CCTV releasing a rat onto the floor of the restaurant.
He said that what he had built up over the last seven years could have been ruined by one man.
Baker was arrested and told police he had bought the rat from a pet shop as a gift for his daughter, before placing it in his pocket and heading to the restaurant.
Willie Johnstone, defending, said: "We do deal with some unusual cases from time to time.
"Christopher, on that day, had been drinking heavily and unfortunately he decided to buy a rat for his daughter by way of a present.
"Unfortunately, he then decided to go for a meal. He sat down and ate his meal.
"When he had finished the meal, he took the rat out.
SWNSKevin Smith, owner of Borneo Bistro in Sunderland.Outraged: Kevin Smith, owner of Borneo Bistro in Sunderland, was shocked anyone would go to such lengths to get a free meal
"He is very remorseful for his behaviour."
Baker was sentenced to a 12-month community order with supervision and was told to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £7.25 in compensation to Mr Smith.
He was also banned from going to the restaurant for a year.
Chairman of the bench, Derek Moss, said: "This is a very serious matter as what you have done here could in a split-second have ruined this man's business, which he has worked for years to build up a reputation for."
SWNSBorneo Bistro in Sunderland where Christopher Baker was caught on CCTV releasing a rat onto the floor of the restaurant.Borneo Bistro: Restaurant in Sunderland where Christopher Baker was caught on CCTV releasing a rat
Speaking after the case owner Kevin Smith branded Baker "scum" and said he feared he would lose his business.
The 47-year-old said: "He is just the scum of the earth. He could have destroyed the reputation I have built up over seven years.
