Melbourne restaurant owner alleges assault after couple disputes $7000 bill
A Melbourne restaurant manager alleges he was assaulted after locking the doors on a couple accused of trying to leave without paying a bill of more than $7000, with the incident now under police investigation.
Marshall Thompson and Louise Leung were dining at Ming Dining, a Chinese restaurant in Melbourne, in July to celebrate Leung's 40th birthday. Restaurant manager Tony told A Current Affair the group had a good night and were given attentive service — "They had a great time. We give whatever the good service we can".
And then the bill arrived.
Tony alleges the couple disputed the more than $7000 total, claiming they had been overcharged, and refused to pay. He says Thompson became abusive, alleging he said, "F--- you guys. You're a prick. I'm not paying a single dollar," and that Thompson "abused my staff, he tried to assault me, he tried to punch me, he kicked the doors."
Tony says he locked the restaurant's doors to prevent the pair from leaving without paying, at which point he alleges the confrontation turned physical. "He kicked the doors, he come down the stairs, then he started abuse me, and then he tried to grab my neck, grab my hands, twist my wrists," he alleged.
Victoria Police were called to the scene and negotiated a partial payment of $5500 from the couple. Tony claims CCTV footage shows Leung ordering nine bottles of chardonnay along with the rest of the order, with staff checking in with her throughout the night. The restaurant says it retained the bottles as evidence.
Leung has disputed the restaurant's account, denying the pair attempted to leave without paying. "That's totally untrue, we did pay, but they overcharged us," she told A Current Affair. She also denied Thompson assaulted Tony, saying, "I don't believe that's true, and I think you should probably check with police for the actual incident."
Police are investigating the matter.
Jonathan Jackson, 18th August 2026
