A couple’s claim of finding glass in a meal at a Cheshire restaurant sparks controversy as CCTV footage suggests foul play.
A controversial incident unfolded at the San Marino restaurant in Widnes, Cheshire, on Saturday, April 5, when a couple dining with a young girl alleged that they discovered a piece of glass in one of their dishes. The situation escalated as they demanded a complimentary meal and financial compensation after claiming that the sharp object had nearly damaged the woman’s dental veneers.
According to the restaurant’s managing director, Miraz Yolcu, the couple refused to settle their £64.85 bill and ultimately left the establishment without paying. The staff’s immediate reaction to the complaint prompted them to review CCTV footage, where they purportedly observed the man allegedly extracting the clump of glass from his pocket and handing it to his partner. The woman can then be seen placing the glass onto a napkin after appearing to scoop food onto it, before alerting a member of the restaurant staff to the supposed safety hazard.
In a move to protect their reputation, San Marino shared the footage on Facebook, highlighting the potential harm such fraudulent claims pose to small businesses. “These kinds of scams are damaging to small, hard-working businesses like ours,” the restaurant stated in their post.
Miraz Yolcu expressed his disbelief at the actions of the couple, noting how they seemed unfazed, even appearing to survey the restaurant for camera placements prior to their meal. He recounted, “We were in shock. The staff were worried, and they called the manager who came and asked what had happened. They insisted they wouldn’t pay for the meal.”
Following the allegations, Miraz inspected the glass presented by the couple and determined it did not match the type used in the restaurant’s kitchen. He stated, “It’s impossible to find glass in the food. They already didn’t pay, and after I looked at it straight away, I confirmed it wasn’t that type of glass.”
The incident was serious enough for the restaurant’s management to notify Cheshire Police. A spokesperson for the force confirmed that officers received the report at 1am on Sunday, April 6, detailing theft and deception. The report indicated that after reviewing the footage, investigators believed the glass may have been intentionally placed in the meal.
In light of this incident, Miraz Yolcu has expressed his aim to warn other business owners about the potential for false claims. He recommends that staff remain composed in such situations and take the necessary steps, including reviewing security footage and contacting authorities when confronted with similar allegations.
Miraz emphasised the importance of vigilance and preparedness among restaurant staff, noting the considerable stress such accusations can place on employees and the broader implications they can have for a business’s reputation. As the investigation into the matter continues, the family involved has yet to make any public comments regarding the restaurant’s account of the events.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL relates to the source of the article and provides the context for the incident at the San Marino restaurant. It discusses the couple’s allegations, the restaurant’s response, and the subsequent investigation.
- https://www.cheshire.police.uk – This URL might provide further information or updates from Cheshire Police regarding the report of theft and deception filed by the San Marino restaurant.
- https://www.facebook.com/SanMarinoRestaurant – This URL could lead to the specific Facebook post from San Marino, where they shared CCTV footage and addressed the fraudulent claim, highlighting its impact on small businesses.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino_(disambiguation) – This URL provides a general overview but is not directly relevant; however, it might help in distinguishing between different entities named San Marino. For specific details, one would need to find the exact restaurant’s page or local news sources.
- https://www.widnesworld.co.uk – This URL might provide local news coverage of the incident at the San Marino restaurant in Widnes, Cheshire, including any further investigations or reactions from the community.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident is reported to have occurred on April 5, 2025, indicating the content is very recent and likely not recycled.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes are primarily from Miraz Yolcu, the restaurant’s managing director. No evidence of earlier use of these quotes was found online, but they appear to be contemporary with the incident.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from WalesOnline, a reputable local news source in the UK, which typically provides reliable reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claim of someone placing glass in their meal and the subsequent actions align with the potential for fraudulent claims, which is plausible given the context and supporting evidence like CCTV footage.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears recent, and no strong evidence suggests old or recycled news. Quotes are from the incident’s key participants but lack prior usage verification. The narrative’s reliability hinges on a trustworthy source, but the plausibility of the incident could be influenced by the ongoing investigation.
