Jacob the ghost fails to foil pub burglary
BURGLARS foiled four dogs, the resident ghost and the licensees to raid a pub just after closing time.
After forcing the outer door to a disused beer cellar at the Royal Oak, Wivelsfield Green, the thieves climbed up through a hatch into the bar area where they jemmied open fruit and cigarette machines.
They emptied the cigarette machine and stole a total of 300 from the fruit machine.
Licensee Claire Baldock, 37, had cashed up and had just locked up and left the bar to go upstairs.
The burglars are thought to have been waiting in the cellar poised for her to leave the bar.
She said: "I'm just gutted. I think I'm a little disappointed in myself because I didn't hear anything. The pub's haunted and we are quite used to bumps in the night but even so."
She had just gone upstairs when all four of their dogs started barking but there were no cars in the car park and she heard nothing out of the ordinary.
The old cellar is no longer used for storing beer because it is considered unhygienic and prone to flooding.
Claire added: "Because I didn't hear anything it makes me think when the dogs were barking as I came upstairs somebody was waiting outside. There were no cars in the car park and I thought the dogs were just barking at shadows."
She said Jacob, the pub ghost, is responsible for dropping things and things like throwing salt on tables and once set off the security alarm.
She said: "He is a complete practical joker. Very mischievous."
Despite the burglary, the family is pressing on with plans to hold a Beer, Wine and Music Festival in aid of St Peter and St James over the weekend of June 20-22.
A percentage of every pint sold will go to support the charity.
The event will feature local bands, an open mic session on the Saturday afternoon and a charity art exhibition as well as a barbecue.
l Police are appealing for anyone with information about the burglary to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 and quote serial 320 of the 09/06/08 or alternatively call crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Pictured: Nigel Baldock shows the trap door through which the raiders entered the bar.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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