Smoke ban landlord vows to quit

Mr Stonhill said he ignored the ban at his pub

An Oxfordshire landlord has vowed to stop smoking in his own pub and ban customers from lighting up after being fined more than £1,700.

Gerry Stonhill, of the Masons Arms in Witney, admitted five offences under the new smoke-free legislation.

But on Wednesday he said he had "learned his lesson" and would stop people smoking on his premises.

He was fined a total of £1,750 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs at Witney Magistrates' Court.

"I've had my wrist slapped and it won't happen again, I have learned my lesson," he said.

"I knew they were smoking and that it was banned, but I won't comment any further."

The owner was given three fines of £500 for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area at court on Monday.

He was also fined £50 for smoking in a banned area himself and fined £200 for not displaying the correct No Smoking sign.

Bill Oddy, head of community services at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This investigation was carried out after a member of the public complained to the council.

"Our officers provided advice and several attempts were made to persuade Mr Stonhill to comply with the law."