FORUM CLOSING ON 14th JANUARY

A story has appeared in the Chichester Evening News alleging that a senior member of the Oxfordshire Pool teams attending the recent CountyFinals approached the bar with a view to purchasing a round of drinks. Security sources believe that the perpetrator was acting alone and CCTV pictures have identified the individual as a Mr Malcolm Lewis. The pictures, although grainy, appear to show Lewis with a £10 note in his right hand.

Reporters have been camped outside Mr Lewis' house in Rose Hill since the report first appeared but it is believed he is in hiding. Neighbours describe Mr Lewis as a simple family man and are shocked by the story. One, who asked not to be named, said NO WAY! Malc would never have done this Another said this is so out of character, his family will be distraught if its true Other friends of Mr Lewis have rallied round in support accusing the gutter press of fabricating the story or doctoring the CCTV images.

Inspector Williams of Thames Valley Police confirmed that Mr Lewis had no record of this sort of thing and that officers would study the footage in due course