Heathfield pub owner still in shock after former employee is jailed
30th January
The owner of The Heathfield Tavern says he and his staff are still mortified after discovering that a now former employee has been jailed after being caught in a secret ‘sting’ by an anti-paedophile group.
Jack Harding expressed how sorry he is to the local community and anyone else affected, stating: “As soon as I found out, he was immediately dismissed.
“I am shocked and quite frankly disgusted by his behaviour that not only betrayed me and my staff but the public as well. I would like to reassure the Heathfield community that my pub is a safe and welcoming place for all of your families.”
The Heathfield Tavern
He added: “What happened can happen to any employer.”
Mr Harding, who owns several other pubs and employs around 60 people, stressed that all of the normal procedures and interviews were carried out, as they are when hiring anyone, but no alerts were raised and protocol was followed.
Numerous comments have been posted in on a local community Facebook page from concerned customers which prompted Mr Harding to speak out: “I understand people’s apprehension but we hope to regain their trust in the future,” he said.
Mr Harding said that the former employee’s wages will also be donated to the anti-paedophile group in hope to help stop these criminals.
