ASHLEY Cross in Poole is a very pleasant place. During the day it attracts all sorts of people checking out the idiosyncratic shops, cafes and restaurants.

In the evening crowds from far and wide flock to enjoy its almost continental ambience.

But on Monday it also attracted some selfish specimens who must have crept from the sewers of humanity.

These creatures saw fit to burgle the La Cruz restaurant stealing £200.

What makes the crime singularly vile is that their ‘reward’ was to snatch a charity box for Help for Heroes.

What a comparison that makes. On the one hand are the blokes and women in our armed forces who have been wounded in their country’s name, whom Help for Heroes seeks to help.

On the other are the greedy reptiles who choose to deprive them of that help to pay for their own indulgences.

When the latter look in a mirror they should not just feel shame. They should see slimeballs staring back.