Chef let cockroaches loose as act of revenge

A former chef at a public house in Lincoln released cockroaches in the kitchen in an act of revenge.

Tom Williams, 25, let about 20 of the imsects loose at the Royal William IV pub in Brayford Pool, after a dispute over £100 in holiday pay, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

The pub lost about £22,000 after it closed to be deep-cleaned. Williams, of John Street, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to cause criminal damage. He was given a suspended sentence of 17 months and 200 hours’ unpaid community work.

Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Williams: “This was revenge. You were targeting them.”