Did Marco Pierre White Jr rob Bath cafe after watching Bridgerton? As chef's son is jailed for stealing from Abbey's Deli - Madame Delacroix's shop in Regency romp - owner claims it's 'second time he's done it'
The cook's son, who vowed last year to 'stay clean', has been jailed for 41 weeks after stealing £250 from Abbey Deli in Bath, Somerset Read more: The Bridgerton effect has fans of Shonda Rhimes' Regency 'bonkbuster' flocking to real life locations - from Bath to the Berkshire Polo Club
The Bath cafe targeted by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White's son in a burglary that saw him jailed for more than nine months this week has appeared in all three series of Bridgerton.
Marco Pierre White Jr was given the prison term this after being convicted of stealing £250 in the dawn raid on Abbey's Deli on May 23rd 2023 - and the owner of the popular tourist spot claims it's the second time he's done it.
The 29-year-old was caught on camera stealing from the till before snagging his tracksuit as he tried to make his way out via a window - revealing his identifiable tattoos, which led police straight to him.
The ex-reality TV star, who has struggled with drug addiction, may have targeted the Grade-II listed courtyard shop after seeing it on screen in the Netflix Regency drama.
The Abbey Deli in a historic street in Bath was targeted by Marco Pierre White Jr's son in an dawn raid in May last year. The tourist hotspot has featured in all three series of Bridgerton
The troubled son of the celebrity chef broke into the Grade-II listed courtyard Abbey Deli and stole £250 - and was this week jailed for 41 weeks for the crime and 'other offences'
Pierre White Jr was caught on camera fleeing the café after the raid but when he snagged his trousers, it revealed his distinctive tattoos, which he'd previously shown off on Instagram
The Grade II-listed deli is a huge attraction for tourists on the Bridgerton trail - and has been transformed three times into Madame Delacroix's dress shop, Modiste, for the Netflix show
Strewn with purple wisteria, the cafe on Abbey Green in Bath, close to the city's famous Roman Baths, doubles up as Madame Delacroix's dress shop, Modiste, in the hit show.
The cafe, which has double-fronted bay windows, has become a success story following its appearances on screen - and is on the tourist trail for many Bridgerton fans.
It's owned by Jon Ison, 67, who told the Sun this week how the TV chef's son had made a beeline for the cafe's cash box.
He explained: 'He broke in by smashing one of the window panes on the front door of the café with a champagne bottle.
'He stole £250 by levering open the draw of the till with a spoon even though the keys were there in plain sight - he also took the charity box from the counter.
The serial offender previously appeared in Channel 5 reality show Big Brother in 2016
White Jr previously told MailOnline that his rehab to get off drugs has cost his famous father more than £1million and that he now wanted to stay clean for the sake of his young daughter
'He probably thought he was in the clear but when he crawled back through the window he got his tracksuit caught on the frame and accidentally mooned his bare backside right at our CCTV cameras.
'Police knew straight away who it was because of his tattoos - all they had to do was check the photos of his ink on his Instagram feed to confirm their suspicions.'
Pierre White Jr's multiple previous offences include shoplifting, possessing a knife, and possessing drugs.
Café owner Mr Ison added: 'He's been hanging out with the wrong crowd for years and we know he's got a drug problem.
'This is the second time he's broken into our café - the first time was almost exactly a year ago when he stole about £650. Not only is there the cash that's stolen, but there's also a big loss in trade as we were forced to close to carry out repairs.
'The serious side of this burglary is that this kind of theft is a massive inconvenience for businesses in the area.'
The cafe has been in the spotlight since it first appeared in series one of Bridgerton, released on Christmas Day in 2020.
Marco Pierre White Jr (right) is the younger son of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White (left)
Its enterprising owners have capitalised on the interest from tourists, selling merchandise themed around the show and trademarking the word 'Modiste'.
A recent Instagram post showed the Isons are clearly excited about an influx of new fans after the latest series dropped, teasing: 'Will our beautiful Deli feature again as Madame Delacroix’s famous boutique; Modiste™️? …. More importantly will Penelope find herself a suitor?'
Ison told the BBC in 2022 that the impact of the show took them by surprise at first, saying: 'We do have crying people on the doorstep, because the Duke of Hastings has been in our shop. I can't believe what a phenomenon it is.
'We're not defined by it, but it is a lovely thing to have and we're very proud of it.
'It's nice that people can come into the shop and see where it was filmed.'
After being released from prison last year following further offences, Pierre White Jr vowed never to touch drugs again after spending more than £1million on rehab.
He also revealed he had converted to Islam to help him 'stay clean' and reform after years of drug abuse which began at the age of just 13.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, he said: 'I have been in rehab 17 times and being in prison has made me realise that enough is enough.
'I have been in rehab all over America and in the UK and the only thing that has cured me is being banged up in a cell for 23 hours a day.
Bristol Crown Court heard in August 2022 how Marco Pierre White Jr had a privileged start in life and was from a good family after he pleaded guilty to 14 offences that month
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'I have realised how lucky I am and have been. I have seen all walks of life in prison and some people don't have a chance in life. I have had every opportunity and I have thrown them all away.
'I could have done anything I wanted to, but instead I did heroin and ended up in prison. I have been an idiot.'
His Michelin-starred chef father previously told of opting against visiting his son in prison due to being 'too recognisable' - while also saying how he 'blames the authorities' as they didn't 'clamp down sooner' on the serial offender's behaviour.
Four days after Pierre White Jr's exit from Big Brother in June 2019, he appeared in a magistrates' court to answer a drug driving charge - having been stopped in a BMW X5 and found to have 200mcg of cocaine in his system.
In 2018, he announced he was attending AA meetings and told a trial he was then in rehab for alcohol addiction.
In January 2019, he was convicted and fined after calling police officers 'f*****s' and 'n******s' as they tried to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly at a train station.
In June 2019, he was ordered to pay more than £1,000 for running out on a £27 restaurant bill after his debit card was declined.
The following month, it was reported he had to be dragged 'kicking and screaming' to a police station after being arrested for allegedly smashing windows during a row with his father in Wiltshire.
In July 2019, he appeared in court accused of making off from a café without paying the bill after his payment card was declined, loudly proclaiming who his father was.
His father was the youngest ever cook to attain the coveted three Michelin stars and is credited as being a major influence on other leading British chefs.