Businessman "drives digger into own pub"

According to local reports and the MailOnline​, Mark Swinstun drove a digger into the side of the Royal Oak pub in Penclawdd on the Gower, South Wales.

Swinstun had spent £60,000 with another local businessman, Colin McDonald, last year in refurbishing the pub and creating a series of bar extensions around a sports and local heritage theme.

A regular at the pub told a local paper last year that since the two businessmen had taken over the venue it had 'brought the community together' and that they had 'worked seriously, seriously hard'.

The licensee of the freehold pub, Heather Skipper, was asleep at the time of the incident, it is claimed.

The MailOnline claimed Swinstun was arrested for creating £40,000-worth of damage, including the destruction of outside furniture and roof tiles.

McDonald told the paper that the pub was closed at the time and was now concentrating on getting the pub re-open.'

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "Police arrested a 45-year old man following an incident which happened during the early hours of Sunday, July 26, when a JCB was driven into the Royal Oak.

"Anyone with information about the incident should contact South Wales Police."

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue services said the safety of the building had been ensured and utility supplies isolated following the incident.