Lead thieves thwarted by beekeeper optometrist

Optometrist turned beekeeper Sam Baird has managed to sting burglars on the roof of his Belfast practice.

Lead thieves who disturbed his roof-top apiary were duly attacked before managing to take off all the lead flashing. Baird first knew of a problem when water leaked into his premises, but a later inspection suggested the vandals were disturbed and abandoned mid-job.

He said: 'Lead vandalism causes so much damage, cost and inconvenience for a few pounds of scrap. I hope lessons have been learned. This is natural justice. As a beekeeper I know how aggressively bees can defend the hive, and what multiple stings feels like. I smile when I think of it, I laugh out loud.'