Paphos People

A brazen landlord who stripped bare a pub he managed and shipped it to Cyprus has been jailed.

Robert Mattock, 63, used the furniture and kitchen equipment to set up a new bar in the holiday resort of Paphos.

He did a runner after Thwaites Brewery served him notice to quit The Winterburn in Halifax, West Yorks, when he fell £7,000 behind with the rent.

Mattock's business partner and co-accused Stuart Smith, 39, later sold the new pub, including Thwaites' fixtures and fittings, for £40,000.

At Bradford crown court, the pair admitted theft mand removing property. Mattock was jailed for eight months. Smith got six months suspended.

Kathryn Rogan, who lives near The Winterburn, said: "The pub was taken out in two days, we could not believe it."