Fraudster tries to con cafe with bizarre milkshake injury claim

A fraudster was caught on CCTV trying to con a cafe by claiming a milkshake cup lid cut his grandchild’s lip.

Fraudster Ian McEnroe, 62, was filmed entering the cafe in Eastbourne and asking for compensation after he claimed his grandchild ‘bled over his car’.

He was seen holding a cup and faking the story – as staff remembered they had served no milkshakes the day before.

Becoming suspicious, employees reported McEnroe to the police and found his story was a scam he had told many times before.

McEnroe was identified from CCTV of the incident when he was in custody, and was charged with fraud by false representation.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court last week, he was found guilty of the charge after a trial.

The court was told how McEnroe entered the café at 7pm on June 19, 2024, making the claims about his grandkid’s ‘injury’.

He said he paid £80 for a car valet service because there was ‘blood in his car caused by a milkshake cup’.

But a staff member recalled that no milkshakes had been served.

It was revealed that McEnroe, of Staplefield Drive, Brighton, has 38 previous convictions for 192 offenses, more than 150 of which are for similar fraud claims against businesses.

McEnroe was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, and the court also imposed a new Criminal behavior Order (CBO) to last for five years.

McEnroe won’t be able to make a refund or compensation claim from any retail or food premises in Sussex.

He must report any incidents to the police within 24 hours, and he is obliged to make a declaration to any food or retail premises, in writing, that he has been convicted for previous fraudulent refund and compensation requests.

Speaking after the case, Sergeant Daniel Turk said: ‘McEnroe has dozens of previous convictions for fraud by false representation, and working alongside partner agencies, we were able to identify him in connection with this investigation.

‘We are pleased that a prolific offender has received a significant custodial sentence, and a Criminal behavior Order to tackle his fraudulent behavior.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.

For more stories like this, check our news page.