A PENHILL pub had 43 windows smashed, forcing it to close.

Liz and Iain Watson have been in charge of the Deer’s Leap on Penhill Drive since February and say they could hear the attack while they were in bed.

Liz said: “The pub closed, we were in bed and we heard the banging.

“We thought initially that the cleaner was working that night instead of the morning but then it happened again.

“We checked our cameras and couldn’t see anybody but then it happened again.

“So I called the police and said ‘even if there’s no-one in the building, because the alarm hasn’t gone off, there is somebody smashing our doors or something’ and as the police pulled up, they caught him.”

With the majority of windows smashed, Liz said it was not safe for the pub to reopen.

“We closed because we can’t keep the place warm.” She added: “It’s not safe but the community came from all over to help out.

“We’ve got people coming out to sort the windows but until that there’s nothing I can do.

“To be honest, I don’t want people coming in when we have cleaned up because there could still be glass.

“We’ll be closed for probably around 24 to 48 hours because I don’t know how long it will take to fix the windows.”

Liz and Iain are in the process of transforming the Deer’s Leap, including adding events such as a bingo night.

David Mundy, 30, has been charged with assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.