Children watched in horror as police swooped on a festive grotto and arrested Father Christmas – for carrying DRUGS.
Bad Santa? Billy Bob Thornton in 2003 comedy
The Santa Claus had handed out presents to around 70 children at a pub in Corby, Northants., on Saturday.
But after changing out of his costume to join other regulars in the bar at the Rockingham Arms he was singled out by police sniffer dogs.
As cops bundled the man out of the pub dozens of revellers cheered and chanted ‘don’t take our Santa!’.
Landlord Jimmy Brown said: ”Unfortunately, Santa got a bit mouthy when the police came in.
”There were a couple of hundred people in the bar and they were all shouting ‘don’t take our Santa!”
Santa spent a night in the cells and was released on bail.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: ”After indication from the drugs dogs, a man was arrested at around 7.55pm on suspicion of drugs offences.
”We believe he was intoxicated.”