£10,000 bill for owner of upcoming Sheffield business after man breaks in to steal mannequin's shoes

Simulation Station, on Church Street, is set for its grand opening this Monday, August 29 to offer a new night out in the city centre.

The venue uses high-end racing simulators that let visitors compete against one another on virtual racecourses.

Unfortunately, with less than a week to go until opening, owner Daniel Eshelby has had to pick up a sudden £10,000 bill after a man broke in last Thursday – to steal the shoes off a novelty mannequin.

Mr Eshelby says he was on site in the early hours of August 18 when the offender smashed a specialist curved window to get inside.

“I had a mannequin in the window made to look like a guy with a racing helmet and boots on,” Daniel told The Star.

“He took the boots, which cost £60. The window has cost me £10,000.”

Daniel says he got a good look at the burglar and was able to give a description to police, and he was arrested shortly afterwards.

Kevin Lynch, 54, of no fixed address, was charged with burglary and criminal damage and jailed on Tuesday at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court for 20 weeks and fined £200.

Daniel has since had to board up the smashed window and replace the boots.

He said: “It hasn’t put back our plans to open.

“We’re hoping to offer people a fun experience and tournaments as an alternative to go-karting using the latest technology.”

For more information, visit the Simulation Station website.

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