Farm Shop Owned by Former ‘Top Gear’ Star Jeremy Clarkson Targeted by Gin-Snatching ‘Shoplifters’
On Tuesday, a farm shop owned by former “Top Gear” star and English broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson was reportedly targeted by shoplifters after a man was caught on security cameras placing a bottle of Clarkson’s gin in his jacket.
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As reported by Daily Mail, Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop, which normally closes every Monday and Tuesday for restocking, had its entrance left slightly ajar, allowing two individuals to enter discreetly right after a female staff member at around 4:15 p.m.
“Because of licensing laws, we’re only allowed to open from Wednesday until Sunday, so Tuesday is the day we restock the shelves, which are usually pretty much empty after a busy few days,” a worker shared with Daily Mail.
“But these cheeky sods saw the door slightly open and went in. My colleague was on her own and one of the guys distracted her while the other one helped himself.”
While one of the men purchased items totaling £69 ($87.84) at the register, the other man apparently took advantage of the situation by making off with two bottles of alcohol and an undisclosed item, collectively valued at around £80 ($101.84). One of the bottles of booze in question is believed to be Clarkson’s Juniper, Beetroot, Apple and Dill flavored Gin in a Tin.
Both individuals then exited the store and reentered their vehicle before driving in the Burford direction, per the report.
“Jeremy was fuming when he found out what had happened,” the worker added. “That’s why he put the video out on social media. The culprit, or more likely, culprits, deserve to be caught. I can’t repeat exactly what Jeremy said when he found out, but it would be fair to say he was not very happy. He’d been filming here for a day or two at the time.”
Commenting on the video Clarkson posted to Instagram, one user wrote: “When you steal from someone who has 6.7 million followers and get caught on camera.”
Diddly Squat Farm Shop, sells a variety of items from his own brand of spirits to soaps, honey and cheese. The broadcaster’s gin range includes a chili-infused London dry and three tinned gins made using different combinations of botanicals such as Maris Otter malt, beetroot, apple, dill, nutmeg and allspice.
(Photo: Diddly Squat Farm)
In February, Clarkson released a vodka made using cow’s milk from his Cotswolds-based farm. After debuting a rum made from honey in July, the former “Top Gear” star faced backlash as promotional material claimed it was “delicious ’n’ nutritious.”
Beyond his work as a broadcaster, journalist and writer, Clarkson is best known for his role on the BBC TV show “Top Gear” along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May. A fellow fan of motorsports and all things cars, May also owns his own spirits brand. Dubbed James Gin, the TV presenter’s range offers American Mustard and Asian Parsnip gin.
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