A thief has stolen a Poppyscotland collecting tin packed full of money from a Lochgelly bar.
The crime which happened a week before Armistice Day led Stuart Couser, the husband of one of the owners of Torley’s, to say: ”They should get their fingers cut off.”
Now the co-owners of the Lochgelly High Street pub Fiona Couser, Derek Neilson and Garry Muir will make a ”substantial” donation to the charity in compensation for the theft of the tin, which was full of donations from patrons.
Community inspector Kenneth Chatham, who is co-ordinating the inquiry, said it appeared that someone sneaked into Torley’s Bar at 10am on Friday and stole the tin.
Mr Couser said various charity boxes were out on the bar, but the poppy tin was the only one taken. He added that the tin had been on the bar for a couple of weeks and was ”pretty much full”.
Mr Couser condemned those who would steal from any charity, ”but especially this one”.
He said: ”It is shocking they would do it. Lochgelly is quite an area for providing soldiers for The Black Watch, after all.”
Local MSP Helen Eadie said: ”This pathetic and cowardly act will be treated with contempt by everyone in the community and I hope they are tracked down very quickly.”
Mr Chatman added that anyone with information regarding this ”disgraceful” theft is asked to call Fife Constabulary on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where all calls are treated anonymously.