A man abandoned his six-year-old daughter in an off-licence for nearly an hour-and-a-half while he went to collect his winnings from a betting shop.

Sussex Police has now launched an investigation into the incident which took place on Wednesday evening (May 9).

Witnesses said the girl was crying after her father said he was only popping out for five minutes.

But when he failed to return, they alerted police.

On his eventual return to the off-licence, he became very aggressive and started shouting.

The incident took place in The Offie off licence in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, between 6pm and 7.15pm.

A woman who works at the off-licence said: “He said he was just going to leave the little girl, who was his child, for about five minutes.

“He said he was popping to the betting shop to collect his winnings and would only be about five minutes.

“He said he did not want to take his daughter out into the rain and he did not want to get the little girl wet.

“But an hour-and-a-half later, he was still not back. It was just awful.

“The police were called and when her father returned, he was very aggressive and shouted.

“The little girl was very upset.”

The woman said the girl left with her father, but added the entire family had now been barred from the shop.

Sussex Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman said: “We were called about it and then attended when he returned at 7.15pm as he became aggressive.

“His details and the daughter's details have been taken and investigations are continuing.”