The owner of a Grade II listed pub has revealed his shock after a driver of a stolen digger did £200,000 worth of damage to his building.
Steve Bolland, who owns The Mucky Duck with his family, in the hamlet Drakeholes, Notts, branded the chilling incident on Wednesday night “absolutely horrible”.
The attack unfolded at around 11.50pm, when a manitou farm telehandler vehicle was spotted on CCTV driving at speed through its garden and ploughing into the wall.
The shocking video showed how the vehicle repeatedly hit the late 18th-century inn’s brickwork and windows while crushing tables and chairs under its massive wheels.
The mystery driver also targeted the pub’s ancient archway during the hugely damaging rampage, which it's believed only lasted for around a minute.
Steve said a neighbour had told him about the attack while it was happening over the phone, and his two kids were the first to witness the scene of devastation.
He said: “I wasn’t there. My kids were there. They went up just after it happened. I got a call off a neighbour who lives just up the road.
“He said ‘Steve, something gone off. There’s a digger ramming the building.' The kids got there two minutes later. My son shot up there.
“It’ was absolutely horrible. It’s a grade two listed building, and every window in the building was targeted. As it’s built from the brick, the brick just crumbled.”
Steve said he didn’t know who was responsible but believed the value of the damage caused could reach £200,000.
He added: “I’ve no idea who it was. I’ve been wracking my brains.
"But I’ve not been able to put a finger on anybody. It’s about a couple of £100,000 [worth of damage].”
Writing on social media, the pub, which employs 15 members of staff, said they would have to shut as police conduct inquiries into the disturbing incident.
They said: “Some bad news I’m afraid.
“Unfortunately we are going to have to close until further notice due to someone deliberately causing serious damage to the building with a stolen teleporter.
“Don’t worry, they will not stop us from getting back open.
“We are going to work as hard as we can to get back open as soon as possible and when we have a date for this we will be sure to let you all know.
“All bookings will be contacted and we are incredibly sorry that you’ve been effected as well as us.”
Nottinghamshire Police have been contacted for comment.
The pub's beautiful building was originally rebuilt in 1771 by Jonathan Acklom to serve passing traffic under the name of The White Swan.
The Bolland family, who now own the business, fell in love with the pub when they first set eyes on it.
And they have since undertaken renovations at the venue to bring it up to an “exceptional standard”.
