After complaining about finding glass in their food, a couple eating at an Italian in Cheshire on Saturday were allegedly caught on CCTV putting the piece of glass in themselves. The events reportedly took place at about 5.40pm on Saturday 6 April at the San Marino family run restaurant in Widnes. Restaurant bosses have said that the footage captures the couple placing the glass in the food.

The video appeared to reveal that the man had pulled a piece of glass from his back pocket and passed it to the woman, who then planted it on her plate of food. The couple, who also came with their daughter, said the glass had "almost broken" the woman's veneers and threatened legal action while demanding compensation and to pay their £64.85 bill before leaving the premises.

Owner and Executive Chef of San Marino Italian Restaurant and Bar, Miraz Yolcu, said: "It was shocking to see the CCTV footage. They were with their daughter but they're not ashamed. They weren't booked and they just came and said they needed something to eat so we happily showed them a table.

"They ordered their food and started eating and everything was fine. They had almost finished their food when the lady called one of the staff and said she found a piece of glass on her food that was in her mouth and almost broke her veneer teeth she has paid thousands of pounds for. They wanted to go to a GP.

"Everybody was in shock. The staff were worried and they called the manager who came and asked what had happened. They said they won't pay for this meal. The manager was saying 'sorry it just doesn't happen, it's impossible to find glass in the food. This is not glass that we use in the kitchen'.

"They sent me a picture of it and I looked at it straight away and said it wasnt that type of glass. Before I said that they already didn't pay. We looked at the CCTV and I found he took it from his pocket and gave it to her. She just put it on the table on a piece of napkin and pretended it was in her mouth."

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "At 1 am on Sunday 6 April police received reports of a theft/deception at a restaurant in Widnes.

"The caller reported that three customers had left the premises without paying for a meal after claiming to find a piece of broken glass in their meal.

"After reviewing CCTV footage the caller believes that the glass was placed in the meal by the customers. Enquiries in relation to the matter are in the early stages."

The restaurant owner has shared the video online to raise awareness and warn other businesses about such scams.

Police are currently investigating the incident following the alleged placing of the glass in the food on Saturday.