Lee Tyers thought he could get out of paying for his curry by putting a few of his own pubic hairs on his plate.

But the 40-year-old was caught red-handed on CCTV. What’s more, he has to pay compensation and will spend a few weeks in jail for his efforts.

Tyers was eating in Jamal’s Indian Restaurant in Middlesbrough last Novemeber when he complained to staff that there was a hair on his plate.

Owner Jamal Chowdhury argued at the time that the hair didn’t belong to any of his employees because it wasn’t the right colour but Tyers still left without paying for his meal.

Chowdhury explained: “He had eaten everything but on the side of the plate there was some brown hair. It was separate and not mixed into the food.

“I took it under the light and showed him it was brown hair and said that all the staff in the restaurant have black hair.”

Police later examined the CCTV footage and officials of Teesside Magistrates’ Court have confirmed that Tyers was found guilty of fraud by false representation.

He has been sentenced to 14 days in jail and ordered to pay £39.55 in compensation.

Tyers tried to get away with not paying for his curry.