by Joe Walker

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

A man who kidnapped a life-size cut-out of Kate and Wills from a bingo hall was marched back by police and ordered to apologise.

The red-faced thief was told to return the cardboard couple to the Connaught in Central Parade, Herne Bay, after he was collared at his seafront flat.

He and a woman had been chased from the hall after taking the 6ft cut-out from the foyer at 9pm on Sunday.

It had only arrived the day before to help promote a royal wedding party at the venue.

Bingo caller Kevin Taylor said: “They just came in the front door and grabbed it, almost knocking one of our regulars over in the process.

“They ran off and our book seller Tom chased them round the corner into Richmond Street. They managed to hide, but a few minutes later they were seen going into a flat in Central Parade.

“Tom went round and knocked and could see them with the cut-out through the window, but they closed the curtains and turned the lights off.

“We were prepared to say a joke’s a joke, but they wouldn’t answer so we called the police.”

After a 20-minute stand-off, the man gave up and was told by officers to walk the cut-out back to the bingo hall.

Kevin said: “He had Kate and Wills on his shoulder and his tail firmly between his legs.

“He went into the hall, gave the cut-out back and apologised. It was definitely a walk of shame.

“I don’t think he was expecting the police to show up at all. He must have been given the shock of his life.

“One of the policemen said it isn’t everyday he gets to rescue a princess.”

Police confirmed the man was spoken to and told to return the cut-out.