Pub raiders escape in sports car

Police are hunting thieves who stole £12,000 from an Aberdeenshire bar before escaping in the landlord's sports car.

The robbers stole keys from Mark Lace's house, got into the Broadstraik Inn, Elrick, then made off in his MG TF car, which was later found burnt out.

Mr Lace, who had about £12,000 stolen in December, is now considering whether to quit his business.

Grampian Police said there was nothing to suggest the crimes were linked.

Mr Lace, 30, said: "This has put me in a very, very difficult situation - at the moment I am around £24,000 down and it could knock me out of business very easily.

It is scary when I think about the danger levels we now have to face Mark Lace

"I am also obviously concerned for the safety of myself and all my staff and it is scary when I think about the danger levels we now have to face - I mean, is there going to be someone in with a baseball bat next?"

Mr Lace said the thieves broke into the back of his house on Sunday and stole a set of keys from his kitchen table, which included his office and car keys.

He realised what had happened when he went to the bar the next day and noticed his car was gone.

Mr Lace, who has now installed additional security measures at the pub, added that he was well-known in Elrick and nearby Westhill and that it was his impression the thieves were familiar with his everyday whereabouts and the operations of the bar.