Window vandal scores own goal (From Dorset Echo)

Window vandal scores own goal

11:04am Monday 21st January 2008 in News By Ian McDonald

A YOB who smashed a pub window got more than he bargained for when he was chased by a team of angry footballers.

The culprit didn't realise members of The Rock's Sunday league side were sat inside when he plunged his fist through the glass at the Weymouth pub.

He was pursued by players and off-duty members of staff and they tackled him and held him until the police arrived.

Team manager Richard Revell then collected the pub's first aid kit and treated the vandal, whose hand was pouring with blood.

The Rock owner Dave Hampton said: "Unfortunately for the lad one of the centre forwards, Nick Brooks, is quite quick and he played a blinder and caught up with him. Straight away all the lads ran after him. I'm dead chuffed with the lot of them, it was fantastic."

The drama kicked off as customers enjoyed Alan King's karaoke night and the players attended a club meeting at the Abbotsbury Road pub. The vandal responsible put his fist straight through one of The Rock's most historic windows, startling the crowd inside.

Mr Hampton, 52, said off-duty manager and team goalkeeper Bradley Roads joined Nick, 20, and other squad members in the pursuit.

He said: "Nick and the boys brought him back to the pub and they sat on the culprit until the police officers arrived. It was one of our old Victorian windows. It's not massive but it's the original glass and it's been there for over 100 years.

"It's a real pain because it's going to be very hard to replace. It's not going to cost the earth but it's caused me a lot of inconvenience."

A Dorset Police spokesman said a 16-year-old Weymouth man has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and is helping police with their enquiries.

He added: "Although we don't want people being vigilantes if an offence has been committed it's nice when people intervene like this.

"They are helping themselves and helping us out."