2nd February 2016
In the early hours of 29th December, Budgens shop in Lyndhurst, Hampshire was raided by burglars who threw a beer keg through the front door window, making off with stolen goods.
As they were leaving, a police car drove up alongside and gave chase. A stinger was used on the vehicle and as the burglars tried to get away the police dogs were let loose. One big bite on the bum occurred.
Shop Owner Elisabeth didn’t know what to do with the beer keg, so decided to help raise funds for the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal by holding a “Guess the name of the stolen beer keg” competition.
The keg was named Michael after the patron saint of the police and the main church in Lyndhurst is also St Michael. The winner of the competition was Mr and Mrs Johnson who came up from London to collect their prize, met by Chief Inspector Simon Tribe of Lyndhurst Police Station.
Michael raised £41 and other donations came to £63.43 giving a total of £104.43, which Elisabeth is adding to. She said: “I hope this story manages to inspire other people to raise money out of adversity like we have done. It does make a difference.”
One of the burglars has gone to prison for 16 months and another received 12 weeks suspended sentence for 18 months and a big compensation order. A third youth has absconded for a second time, so a court arrest warrant is now in place. A fourth man is still wanted but the police have his finger prints.