Driver detained under mental health act; cafe closed or months

A 51-year-old woman has been detained under the mental health act after driving her car through the front of a caf�.

Customers and staff were lucky to escape unhurt as the Mercedes came crashing through the windows as they ate at the Harvist caf�, in Harvist Road, Kensal Rise, at around 11am this morning.

The driver was said to have got out of the car cursing and swearing at people before storming off.

Police quickly found the woman and sectioned her under the mental health act.

Ben Maghzane, owner of the caf�, said: “The woman was mental. There were kids in the caf�; it was half full.

“I’m shocked but I’m glad no one was hurt but the side of my shop is gone and the furniture is ruined. I will have to close for months.”

Mr Maghzane said the woman, who has not been named, had visited the shop several times previously but had never been a problem.

Andrea Mild, who alerted the Times to the incident after passing by in a taxi, said: “It was unbelievable. The car was completely in the shop. I don’t know how you could do that by accident.”