An intruder handcuffed one man and threatened a woman after breaking into a Witham pub.

Guests of the licensee, a 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman from Nottingham, were staying at The Little Elms pub, in Dorothy Sayers Drive, Witham.

They were woken up by a noise in the early hours of Friday morning and discovered a man in their room with a torch.

The burglar, having negotiated the fire escape to get to the first floor bedroom, made them lie face down on the floor and handcuffed the man.

The intruder did not appear to have a weapon but implied to the couple he was armed with a gun.

When they made it clear they were not the owners of the pub and there maybe other people inside, the man left taking the handcuffs off the man.

He stole a purse, watch and a mobile telephone during his escape.

Anyone with information should call Richard Wardleworth at Witham CID on 01376 501212.

Published Friday January 2, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette