A man without a definitive place of residence, accused of evading payment of the bill after staying at one of the most luxurious hotels in London, appeared in court and only confirmed his name and date of birth. However, the case was postponed due to the absence of an available Finnish interpreter to provide assistance.
The case was postponed until Tuesday, April 22, to ensure the presence of a Finnish interpreter via video link. The defendant, Mikko Lustinen, who does not have a permanent address, is accused of using homeless services in evasion of being housed.
Journalists note that Lustinen, a 58-year-old citizen of Finland, enjoyed a luxurious stay with a wine bill totaling £1,936 (about $2,568) at the five-star Dorchester hotel in May 2022, without any intention to pay the bill.
Hotel staff then contacted the police, after which the man was arrested, but he has yet to appear in court following his release on bail. Later, a warrant for arrest was issued, and this month he was finally arrested.
