Pub owners that displayed 'racist' dolls quizzed by cops as part of police probe

19 May 2023 , 17:55

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Chris and Benice Ryley with a golly doll at the White Hart in Grays, Essex (Image: Eastnews Press Agency)

The former owners of a pub which closed following a row over 'racist' golly dolls have reportedly given a voluntary police interview.

Chris and Benice Ryley closed The White Hart in Grays, Essex, on May 1 after suppliers, including Heineken and Carlsberg, axed trade with them.

They also had their windows smashed during a suspected vandal attack last month following reports of the issue.

Officers were seen in CCTV footage removing the controversial dolls from a display above the bar on April 4.

Soon afterwards, the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) pulled the pub from its Good Beer Guide.

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The Ryleys claimed the 15 dolls were donated by punters over the years, while some date back to their childhood.

Following the raid, Benice initially vowed to defy the authorities' wishes and said she would place more of the dolls on display.

Police collected the dolls during a raid in April (Benice Ryley / SWNS)

She also put a sign on the door of the pub which read: "We have golly dolls displayed inside on our shelves. If you feel offended. Please do not enter."

Chris, meanwhile, was found to have made a 'hanging' comment in an unearthed Facebook post.

In a social media post from March 11, 2016, Chris uploaded a photo of the dolls hanging in his pub, and wrote "we have our golliwogs, yaaay".

Benice lightheartedly questioned whether they are legal, and Chris said: "They used to hang them in Mississippi years ago."

The couple claimed the dolls were gifts from punters and had been collected over several years (Benice Ryley / SWNS)

This appears to be a reference to lynch mobs in America's Deep South.

The pair are subject to an ongoing police investigation and Essex Police have now confirmed interviews have been conducted.

A spokesperson told EssexLive: "Two people, a man and woman, have been interviewed voluntarily as part of our investigation.

"Our investigation continues to progress."

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The pub has now closed after suppliers pulled trade

The police raid came after the couple refused to remove the dolls following a complaint to the local council.

The pub had five windows and a door damaged, with graffiti also reported, in the early hours of April 16.

In a video, Ms Riley said of the closure: "I feel gutted, totally and utterly gutted. Hurt, upset."

She continued: "We've had a few bits of hate, which I personally don't understand.

"The young people these days don't understand, from years ago where did the Gollys originate from, it's such a shame."

Previously confirming the closure, Benice told Thurrock NubNews that felt she had "had enough" following the pull-outs and public reaction to the dolls and said she was "annoyed and upset" at the pressure on her.

She also criticised the police for their response, who she said has "ruined us" and "ruined our name".

Following the vandal attacks, police admitted they were considering whether the damage was done as a result of the controversy.

Ryan Merrifield