Terry Peck, AKA 2pec, was pursued by police on jet skis and charged with stealing after he allegedly tucked into a hefty meal and skipped the bill

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

An aspiring Gold Coast rapper who allegedly dined on an expensive seafood dinner and ran into the surf to avoid paying the bill has faced court charged with stealing and assaulting a police officer.

Terry Peck, 33, allegedly tucked into a $621 meal at Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant on Sunday evening, including two lobster mornays, 21 oyster shooters, baby octopus and drinks.

But when it came time to pay the bill, Peck allegedly ran from staff straight into the surf at Main beach. Lifeguards then took police out on the back of jet skis to retrieve him from the water.

Peck is an aspiring rapper who goes by the name 2pec.

Officers allegedly attempted to negotiate with Peck to come back to shore but he refused, forcing them to jump in the sea to arrest him.

Peck faced Southport magistrates court on Monday charged with stealing and two counts of seriously assaulting a police officer.

He was released on bail and is due back in court on 4 May. He was also ordered not to return to the restaurant.

Peck told reporters outside the court that he hadn’t enjoyed the meal, describing the lobster as overcooked.

He also claimed that he had only left the restaurant because he needed to help a friend who was giving birth on the beach.

The restaurant’s manager, Mark Hunnybun, disputed the claim about the lobster being overcooked, telling the ABC: “We cook our lobsters perfectly here.”