Pubs warned over bogus barman

Police say the thief is not a very good barman

Pub landlords in North Yorkshire are being told to beware of a man who talks his way into a barmen's job and then vanishes with the takings.

The man, who calls himself "Simon Lee" , is last known to have been employed at a pub in Leyburn.

He was hired on 3 February, and two days later disappeared along with several hundred pounds.

Pc Paul Calvert of the police in Leyburn said: "We believe this man has been stealing from pubs in this manner for several months."

He is not a great barman

Pc Paul Calvert

The thief is in his late 20s, 5 ft 6 in tall and of medium build.

He has a short, curly ginger hair and is said to speak with a Wiltshire accent.

Pc Calvert thinks "Lee" may be a good thief, but lacks experience pulling pints.

"He is not a great barman. But he is certainly a good enough talker to persuade people to give him a job," he said.