A CHEF said had a ‘meltdown’ when he stabbed the car tyres of a customer who complained about his cooking and refused to pay the whole bill.

Darren Cubin, of Crake Mount, Spark Bridge, stuck a kitchen knife into the tyres of Toni Miller’s Ford Fiesta when she went to leave the carpark of The Farmer’s Arms at Lowick Green, Spark Bridge, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

Cubin, 41, received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after admitting causing £200 of criminal damage to Ms Miller’s car and possessing a knife in a public place.

Accountant Ms Miller and partner David Fryer were visiting the Lakes for the first time from Northamptonshire and had dropped into the Farmer’s Arms for a bite to eat.

Ms Miller told The Mail they complained as they felt the mushroom stroganoff and meat and ale pie had been over seasoned. They had paid for the starters and drinks but there was a disagreement over the full bill.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly explained in court Ms Miller and her partner were dissatisfied with their meals and complained to the staff on September 6.

Cubin came out of the kitchen to take the food away.

The couple had said they were happy to pay for their starters and drinks, but not the mains and handed over the money.

During the disagreement a member of staff said the police were being called.

The couple left the pub for the carpark. Mr Kelly told the court: “The defendant came out of the kitchen and deflated the couple’s tyres by putting a kitchen knife in the tyres.

“Mr Cubin told police he went out of the rear of the kitchen. He said he picked up a kitchen knife and he popped a rear tyre to stop the customers from driving away without paying. It was two tyres that he popped.”

Mr Cubin represented himself in court and said he had walked away from the job.

He said: “I just think I had a meltdown, it’s not in my nature to flip like that.”

District Judge Gerald Chalk also ordered Cubin, a married father, to pay £200 compensation to Ms Miller and carry out 90 hours unpaid work in the community.

Ms Miller added: “We were astonished and disgusted by the whole incident. I think the sentence is about right, although it is concerning that the incident involved a knife.

“It was our first visit to the Lake District and it was a very upsetting end to it. We would consider coming back, we don’t expect that is the normal service in the Lakes.”

In an email seen by The Mail from Star Pubs and Bars Group to Ms Miller, the group explained that they were “horrified” and “extremely disappointed”. It said the proprietor was away from the business and those involved had been dealt with.