Owner 'disgusted' as charity tin stolen from Hidden Tap, Botley

The thief is said to have walked into the bar of the Hidden Tap in Botley on Tuesday lunchtime and took cash from the till, before swiping a Help for Heroes charity tin that was on the bar, after being told the pub was closed.

Rob Sanderson, who has owned the microbrewery with his wife Meg for the past 12 years, said he has been left angry that the thief took money from a hard-working charity, the first time his bar has fallen foul of crime.

“It all happened in about 10 minutes,” he said.

“I was in the brewery, and I saw a man sit down in the bar. When I came out of the brewery a few moments later he was stood near the bar and said he wanted a coke.

“I told him that we weren’t open yet and recommended the Co-op down the road if he wanted something to drink right away.

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“He walked out very calmly and thought nothing of it, but I thought the whole thing was really bizarre.

“I’d left the key in the till as my next job was to cash up. When I checked most of the money was gone and our Help for Heroes jar had also been stolen.”

Rob ran out of the bar to try and stop the thief in the road, but it was too late.

“Around £500 was stolen in the end which I know might not be a lot but I’m angry and sad that this person took the charity jar.

“I’m disgusted that he would steal from a charity that supports people who fought for his freedom.

“Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of support from customers and it’s the first time in all our years of being here that something like this has happened, it’s not what any local business wants.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We’re investigating a burglary which occurred at the Hidden Tap at Botley Mills.

“The incident was reported at 12.07pm on Tuesday, March 11. Police were told that a man had entered the premises and stolen cash from the till, as well as a charity jar containing cash. Enquiries remain ongoing.”