Shop safe culprits vow to clear name

SAFE theft suspects Linda and Darren Scott are still employed counting the cash at their Ipswich newsagents.

Mrs Scott revealed both mother and son are still working full-time at the Norwich Road Balfour News store – and both still handling the safe.

But she has insisted they are determined to clear their name after reliving the trauma of spending her first time behind bars at the age of 53.

Police arrested the Scotts after about £4,000 went missing from the safe at the store where Mr and Mrs Scott work as manager and assistant manager.

Neither have been charged.

Mrs Scott, of Elmcroft Road, said: "Its absolutely devastating to be accused of something like this – especially when you haven't done it.

"If you have done something, you put up your hands and take your punishment.

"But we haven't been suspended, laid off or anything. We're just carrying on with our normal job."

Mrs Scott, who has been in the job for ten months, added: "At my old job I was looking after three or four safes with 15-20 grand in each of them.

"Nothing has changed here – I still do all the banking and wages. I've worked with money all my life, if I wanted to do it I'd do it through the books.

"But it's not in my nature and I wouldn't be a good enough liar."

Mrs Scott said she was stunned after news of her arrest broke, and promised to prove her innocence with the help of friends and family.

She said: "I don't care how long it takes or what I have to do to prove my innocence – I will do it.

"Why should we be put through this when we have done nothing wrong.

"Thank God for my friends and my neighbours. My phone has been running hot with people ringing me."

Balfour News area manager Kevin Dolan said: "I can confirm there was a cash shortage and we asked police to investigate to establish who may have been responsible for it.

"We wish to establish the truth. We're not laying the blame at any door until the police investigation is complete."