EXCLUSIVE – Furious restaurants in Crete release photo of British couple ‘fleeing three tavernas without paying after complaining about food’

A British couple holidaying in Crete have been accused of leaving at least three tavernas without paying.

The couple, whose identities are not known, reportedly gleefully indulged in food and drink before loudly complaining about their meals and refusing to pay.

They allegedly stormed off without paying their bills at at least three restaurants on separate evenings around the village of Koutouloufari in the north of the idyllic Greek island.

The couple is said to have last struck at the restaurant Ariadni Apartments, which is known for its delicious pizzas, seafood and traditional Greek dishes.

An outraged staff member posted a photo on Facebook, along with the message: ‘Keep an eye on this couple. After they finish eating, they refuse to pay the bill.

The couple is said to have last struck at the restaurant Ariadni Apartments, which is known for its delicious pizzas, seafood and traditional Greek dishes.

“We are the third restaurant to date where they have tried this tactic. It is good that restaurant owners in the village communicate with each other so that we know what to expect.’

The post on the Facebook group Koutouloufari For Ever drew more than 200 comments, many of them from outraged British holidaymakers and ex-pats who accused the couple of bringing Britain to shame.

A woman rushed to defend the restaurant and posted, “What a beautiful people and place!! You should be ashamed.’

Another wrote angrily: “How disgusting. How can anyone do such a thing to the lovely people in the area.

‘It’s people like that who give our English a bad name. I see it has been shared on the posts I’m a member of. I hope they rot in hell for what they did.

The couple fled without paying for meals from several restaurants on the northern side of Crete

They’re probably on their way home by now. We are so sorry for all those lovely people affected x’.

A third Briton added: ‘Why can’t the tavern owners join forces and bring some good brothers/cousins/friends to the village as ‘encouragement’ for these low-hearted to pay, if the police won’t do anything? ‘.

A holidaymaker from Newcastle suggested the couple may be from Liverpool in a comment saying: ‘There (sic) Scousers. I was there tonight when it happened. By the way, not bad mouthy Scousers. Good people etc., but you always get a bad egg.’

But another holidaymaker further confused the couple’s identities, saying, “I was sitting across from them. Sounds like Cockneys to me, or was it Mancs?’

Former Defense Ministry employee Mark Flynn, 59, who has lived in Crete for 16 years, accused the couple of “taking advantage of the kindness of the Greek people.”

He added: “It looks like they went to restaurants to eat. It is the custom here for places to offer a free dessert and a glass of local raki fire water after a meal.

“They then apparently started complaining all over the place about the service and the meal they received, even though they had eaten and drunk everything.

“It’s often easier for restaurants to let people like that walk away and forget about it, because most guests are very honest.

But in this case, it looks like this couple went too far and tried the same stunt repeatedly in at least three places.

“It’s extremely unusual for local restaurants to post something like that, as they don’t like to cause a scene, and it’s a sign they must have been very upset.”

Mr Flynn, from Plymouth, Devon, added: ‘It’s the first time in all my time here that I’ve heard of Brits doing this.

“If it happened before, it was Russians or Israelis. Everyone is really upset about it because one couple’s behavior gives all Brits a bad name.

‘It’s not fun to do at all. The Greeks are wonderful people and do not deserve to be abused in this way.’

A woman posted on Facebook that she thought the couple had returned to Britain last Tuesday.

After seeing the couple’s photo, she said she saw the man around the former Roman port city of Hersonissos, near Koutouloufari and known for its peaceful beaches and ancient ruins.

The woman wrote: ‘We were in Hersonissos until August 29. I’m sure I saw him at least once in Hersonissos during the week we were there, and on the last day (29th) I’m sure my partner spoke to him while we were outside in the town’s restaurant (bus stop 22 ) were waiting for our transfer.

“He was very drunk and ate and drank in the restaurant, and said his transfer would be later in the day.”

The Ariadni Palace Apartments have not yet responded to a request for comment.