A young pub owner has appealed for help replacing money that was stolen from her premises in a 'heartless, targeted theft'.

Eastern Daily Press: Liberty's in King Street, Great Yarmouth, was broken into last Tuesday. PHOTO: Sarah BurgessLiberty's in King Street, Great Yarmouth, was broken into last Tuesday. PHOTO: Sarah Burgess (Image: Archant)

Courtney Gallant, the 22 year-old pub owner of Liberty's in Great Yarmouth, was left "frightened and anxious" after two men with covered faces broke into her building and took all the money in the till.

According to Ms Gallant, the thieves entered the pub at about 2am Tuesday, February 18, ripping the till out completely and stealing £500 in cash.

"Of all things", she added, "they also took a bottle of Lamb's Rum. As if just to spite me."

Though one of her regulars has kindly offered over a new bottle of Lamb's Rum, the money is proving harder to replace.

Eastern Daily Press: Courtney (left) and her Mum, ran the pub together until Courtney took over 18 months ago. PHOTO: Courtney GallantCourtney (left) and her Mum, ran the pub together until Courtney took over 18 months ago. PHOTO: Courtney Gallant (Image: Archant)

Ms Gallant, who suffers from mental health issues, is still shaken up following her ordeal.

Her friends encouraged her to reach out to the local community for support, as Liberty's has been part of King Street's fabric for many years and regulars know Ms Gallant on a personal level.

She said: "I took over the pub from my mum 18 months ago and I've been running it by myself since then. I am now the leaseholder of the premises and work really hard to keep the place going.

"Knowing that someone broke in here and did this has turned me into a nervous wreck."

Eastern Daily Press: Courtney and her team welcoming regulars to Liberty's. PHOTO: Courtney GallantCourtney and her team welcoming regulars to Liberty's. PHOTO: Courtney Gallant (Image: Archant)

Unfortunately, Ms Gallant's CCTV camera covering the bar cut out at the time of the incident - and without footage showing the thieves at work, she cannot get the money recovered through insurance.

"That's why I've set up a GoFundMe page", she said. "Because I'm struggling to find the money to pay the bills and I don't want to let my customers down."

Police were called to the pub at 3.15am on the Tuesday morning, but according to Ms Gallant no fingerprints were recovered by forensics.

While she has CCTV cameras that managed to catch the men entering and leaving the building, they footage is insufficient to identify the perpetrators as of yet.

Eastern Daily Press: Courtney (left) and her Mum, ran the pub together until Courtney took over 18 months ago. PHOTO: Courtney GallantCourtney (left) and her Mum, ran the pub together until Courtney took over 18 months ago. PHOTO: Courtney Gallant (Image: Archant)

Norfolk Constabulary have confirmed, however, that inquiries are ongoing.

The GoFundMe link can be found on Liberty's Facebook page.

Eastern Daily Press: Courtney and her team welcoming regulars to Liberty's. PHOTO: Courtney GallantCourtney and her team welcoming regulars to Liberty's. PHOTO: Courtney Gallant (Image: Archant)