A simple meal at a Belize City café turned into a national controversy after 57-year-old retired nurse Allaire McDougal was remanded to prison for being unable to pay a $48 bill. The incident, which occurred at Spoonaz Reggae Café, drew widespread backlash and prompted a public apology from the business.
“What I was charged with was intentionally trying to defraud a business. That sounds huge. It sounds like I was laundering money from some business, but it happened that I could not pay my twenty-four U.S. dollar bill,” McDougal told News Five. “But it happened that I could not pay my twenty-four U.S. dollar bill. It was good, oxtail and rice and beans, fry plantain, a blueberry cheese scone, and a Mackeson.”
Staff at Spoonaz say they attempted to resolve the situation after McDougal’s debit card was declined three times due to insufficient funds. But when no solution was found, they called police. McDougal was detained, held overnight, and charged with obtaining services by deception. Unable to post $500 bail, she was sent to Belize Central Prison.
“In Belize, sometimes the systems are down,” said McDougal, suggesting technical issues may have affected her card.
Public outrage erupted online, condemning the café’s handling of the case. Spoonaz responded, stating: “Our intention was never to criminalise hardship… This was clearly an incident that called for a greater degree of sensitivity and understanding.”
The café has since dropped all charges. McDougal is now free.
McDougal also addressed reports that she deliberately dines and dashes: “Let us just wait until all the investigation is done.” She says she receives monthly U.S. support but claims her funds often vanish mysteriously when dining out.
A CBS News report reveals that Allaire McDougal previously served time in the U.S. for attempting to drown her son, an incident linked to her mental health struggles. A relative has confirmed her diagnosis and says she is unwell.